Crossover Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Sailor Moon Online: Hollow Fragment ❯ Sisters, Dragons, and a Whole Lot of Trouble ( Chapter 6 )

Well, it seems like things have gone at a quicker pace and now, our heroes and heroines managed to defeat the Floor 77 boss, but don’t expect things to go quickly, everyone! There is a lot of things to do and the group also has the Hollow Area to deal with, everyone! And also, remember, there are plenty of spoilers for the main Sailor Moon Online storyline, so, this is fair warning, folks!

 

I DO NOT OWN Sailor Moon, Sword Art Online, Accel World, Digimon series, One Piece, Final Fantasy, and anything/anyone that comes from these and other stories that end up in this fanfiction! Sailor Moon is owned/licensed by Naoko Takeuchi and its various studios and publishers and Sword Art Online is owned/licensed by ASCII Media Works, A-1 Pictures Inc., and its various directors/publishers including Reki Kawahara and Tomohiko Itō!

 

Warning: This story contains intense violence, blood, possible gore, death, mild to explicit suggestive themes, including mind-control and brainwashing, mild to explicit bad language, and mature adult themes/situations!

 

Second Warning: Some to a lot of OOC (Out of Character) actions and mannerisms in this whole story!

 

Sailor Moon Online: Hollow Fragment

 

Chapter 6: Sisters, Dragons, and a Whole Lot of Trouble

 

December 11, 2024, Floor 76, Arc Sofia

 

Within Agil’s inn/store within Arc Sofia, Usagi is heading for hers and Mamoru’s room after she went to Lisbeth to get her swords upgraded and she is preparing to turn in for the night with her beloved in which she sees him waiting for her.

 

Mamoru asks her, “Are you planning to go see Kirito?”

 

Usagi asks, curiously, “No, not really. Why?”

 

Mamoru responds, “I’m going to need to talk to him about his sister.”

 

Usagi asks, confused, “Leafa?”

 

Mamoru says, “I think that he suspects this too, but how Leafa got here doesn’t make much sense to me. The Amusphere was designed to make sure that what happened to you and the others never happens again. I don’t think that a malfunction would trap you in here and I think that Kirito knows too.”

 

Usagi asks, “You want to talk to him to think about theories about how you two believe she got here? But why would Leafa lie to us?”

 

Mamoru says, “I have a good idea, but I’m not sure that I like the answer.”

 

Usagi says, “If you think that it is important, my love, I think that Kirito should know.” Usagi and Mamoru go over to Kirito’s room and knock on the door in which the door opens in which Usagi and Mamoru come inside where they find Leafa, wearing a dress pajama dress, is in the room.

 

Leafa says, “Oh! Mamoru! Usagi!”

 

Usagi asks, “Leafa? What are you doing here?”

 

Kirito says, after closing the door behind him, “Leafa came in before you did Usagi. She couldn’t sleep.”

 

Usagi says, “After that boss fight, I’m not surprised.” Usagi asks, “Anyway, what’s up?”

 

Kirito says, “We were discussing…the ‘other side’.”

 

Usagi says, her eyes widen, “I see.” Usagi says, looking at Mamoru and Leafa, “Mamoru-kun and Leafa came here only recently and it has been two years.”

 

Kirito says, “Yeah, it has. I was about to ask if the ‘other side’ has changed a lot.”

 

Leafa says, with a nod and plain tone, “The news is still reporting on this.”

 

Usagi says, solemnly, “I’m not surprised that they are.”

 

Kirito says, nodding his head, “We are still losing people. In the battle with the Skull Reaper about a month ago, we lost fourteen top tier players. There are only over six thousand of the players still remaining.”

 

Leafa says, “Some top scientists researched the NervGear, but they have yet to crack it.”

 

Mamoru says, “Even our smartest person, Mizuno, couldn’t completely figure out a way to remove the NervGear without triggering its ‘kill switch’.”

 

Usagi says, “I’m not surprised since Kayaba is the one in a million genius that could stump even her and she can out think most scientists, but Kayaba had to be one of those rare genius that can make her scratch her head. While I’m not anywhere close to any type of genius, I understood enough about Kayaba’s work to know that it was possible to destroy a person with the NervGear.” Usagi says, putting her arms around her body, “Since the beginning, I knew that the thing that I used to use for fun was now a pair of shackles and a blade under my neck which could kill me at any time.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Same here. I knew on the day that Kayaba started this death game that he was speaking the truth. If I died here, I would die in real life.”

 

Usagi says, “And so many good people died in this ‘death game’.” Usagi pinches the bridge of her nose and she gives a deep sigh.

 

Leafa asks, “So, as long as we remain here, we wouldn’t be able to get any information from outside?”

 

Kirito says, “Yeah, Sugu. To be honest, I had hoped, once, that if everything is all right, we could see everyone that passed away again. However, it was wishful thinking. I…We had to accept this cold hard reality.”

 

Leafa says, “Big brother.”

 

Kirito says, with a sigh, “I’m okay. I was wondering about mom.”

 

Leafa says, with a smile, “Don’t worry, she is still in good spirits. She comes to see you when she is off work, no matter what.”

 

Kirito says, “I really made her worry.”

 

Leafa says, “Of course, mom and I are very worried about you. We are next to you and we can touch you, but you aren’t there.”

 

Usagi asks Mamoru, “What about my family?”

Mamoru says, “When this madness started, your father went into a fury over what Kayaba did and your mother and your brother was in complete disbelief, but they managed to hold themselves together. They felt completely betrayed by Kayaba.”

 

Kirito says, “I’ll bet, Mamoru.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “I see.”

 

Mamoru says, “They are hoping and praying that you will come home especially learning that you are a top player. We couldn’t get much information from the servers about what’s happening in SAO. All they will tell us is what level that a player is, where that player is at a certain time, and…if that player is still alive.”

 

Usagi asks Mamoru, “What about you and the girls?”

 

Mamoru says, with a sigh, “I think that answer is obvious. However, on that horrible day over two years ago, I raced from where I was to the hospital and I prayed that something prevented you from putting on the NervGear, but those prayers weren’t answered. You…Your real body is in a hospital in Juuban where your mother is working and you are under guard by the government.”

 

Usagi asks, “Under guard?”

 

Kirito says, “I think that I know why. Even through the government knows that you and your family are completely innocent of what horrors that Kayaba has committed as a member of Kayaba’s family, you are in dangerous of those that want ‘payback’ from what Kayaba did to their friends and loved ones despite you being completely innocent of his horrors.”

 

Mamoru says, with a nod, “That’s right. Even your grandparents from your mother’s side, Kayaba’s mother and father, are in government protection to prevent retribution and the government is making sure that no one knows about yours and your immediate family’s ‘connection’ to Kayaba.”

 

Usagi says, solemnly, “I see.”

 

Mamoru says, “The girls were completely horrified and like me, they felt completely helpless. For months upon months, we had to watch you just lying on the bed and motionless as you…wasted away before our eyes.”

 

Usagi says, with a solemn nod, “I see, Mamoru-kun.” Usagi says, “I…”

 

Mamoru kisses Usagi on the forehead and he says, “Don’t you dare say that you are sorry, Meatball Head. You never had a clue…The whole world didn’t have a clue. You have nothing to be sorry for.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “I know, but I must have really worried everyone.”

 

Mamoru says, nodding his head, “Yes, you did. But that’s because we care about you so much.”

 

Usagi says, “I’ve really missed you and the girls. I would have been completely alone if it wasn’t for friends like Kirito and Asuna.”

 

Kirito says, with a smile, “Well, we ‘misfits of SAO’ have got to stick together.”

 

Usagi says, with a smirk, “Speak for yourself, Kirito.”

 

Usagi and Kirito share a giggle and Leafa asks, “You and Usagi are quite close?”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “We are, Sugu. Usagi was and is my first friend in SAO. I can’t exactly explain why, but we really bonded together. Our relationship is like the one that we…had Sugu when we were younger.”

 

Leafa says, with a nod, “I see.”

 

Kirito tells Leafa, “However, you are my real sister, Sugu. Usagi and I are close like siblings, but we are brother and sister despite how we have drifted apart. After what happened in here, I truly want to rebuild our relationship.”

 

Leafa asks, surprised, “Really?”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “I was shocked to see you, Sugu, but I am really happy that you are here through I wish to talk you more in the real world rather than SAO. However, I’m also angry that you got involved in this.”

 

Mamoru says, “Speaking about that, Kirito, I would like to ask your sister something.”

 

Leafa asks, curiously, “Yes?”

 

Mamoru asks, plainly, “Leafa, how did you really come to SAO?” Leafa’s eyes widen and Mamoru says, “Leafa, two of our friends, Mizuno and Setsuna, were involved in a lot during this whole nightmare including the technology behind the Amusphere and Mizuno can’t explain on how getting from ALO, which was possibly developed from SAO, into SAO like this. The Amusphere is similar to NervGear, but the programming of SAO wouldn’t be accepted by it which is most likely due to the changes made to the Amusphere compared to the NervGear to make it safer and prevent something like what Kayaba did. I believe that your brother suspects this as well.”

 

Leafa looks at Kirito and he says, “If what you say is true, then Kayaba’s goal is beyond, but I don’t think Kayaba is the kind of guy that would drag people beyond what he wanted into this death game. While he is a monster for all of the pain and misery that he caused us, I doubt that he would destroy a world that he created himself.”

 

Leafa gives a solemn look and Usagi asks, “Leafa-chan, is there something that you aren’t telling us?”

 

Leafa says, with a sigh, “I guess that I can’t keep anything from you or your friends, big brother. My avatar is from ALO, but there is a good reason that I’m here. A friend that I know had hid a NervGear away after they were recalled to be destroyed, minus the ones that you and the other SAO victims as you are known, are using. I used that NervGear to log into SAO.”

 

There are gasps and Kirito says, shocked and horrified, “Sugu…Why? Why did you do that? This isn’t a regular game!”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Kirito is right, Leafa! Do you understand what you have done?! You have put your life in mortal danger! This is a struggle for survival! Thousands of good people have already died because of this terror that’s Sword Art Online! Mamoru-kun and my girls might have some form of protection, but we don’t! The instant that we die in here, we die in real life! Even though I can’t see it, I know exactly what happens to all of those poor people that die in here! I can only imagine what horrible death awaited them as the NervGear turns their minds into literal mush, Leafa!”

 

A few tears come from Usagi’s eyes and Kirito says, sternly, “That’s right, Sugu! This world is beyond dangerous a lot of people died for real and you just come here on a whim! You can’t be so reckless with your life!”

 

Leafa yells out, strongly and sternly, “I didn’t come here on a whim!” Kirito, Usagi, and Mamoru were taken aback by her tone and Leafa says, sternly, “I’ve been a part of this from the very beginning! I’m your sister after all! Can you consider how sad I was? Looking at the brother that I love lying there and never wake up. I never cried so hard in my life! And I knew what I was doing the instant that I put the NervGear! You don’t think that I know how deadly this can truly be?! Do you think that there were other SAO players in other rooms at the hospital that your body is in? Every single day, another player dies and I saw those players’ corpses as they were brought out to be examined by the family and friends left behind as well as the pain that they experienced when the person they cared for so much is nothing more than a body on a table!”

 

There are gasps of shock and Kirito says, his eyes widening, “Sugu…”

 

Leafa says, with tears in her eyes, “Those events…their expressions…their pain…continue to haunt me and I was so afraid…Afraid that you would be one of them! I had so many nightmares that the next time that I saw you, you were in the morgue, big brother! And even though they are just nightmares, I come into your room and I see you wasting away before my eyes like you would crumble into nothingness.”

 

Kirito says, lowly, “Sugu…”

 

Leafa says, “We are family. We should be together. I just couldn’t stand around and do nothing. And I know Mamoru-kun and Usagi-chan’s friends feel the same way for Usagi. They had to watch her for two long years, never knowing what’s truly happening to her, and had to see her by her bedside in which she was slowly wasting away and any day, she could have ended up dead.” Leafa tells Kirito, with a stern tone, “Do you think that I could have lived a life like that? That’s why I’m here. I had to find a way to truly see you again and help you leave to return home. I…I just couldn’t let you go. And I know that Mamoru-kun and Usagi-chan’s friends can understand how I feel. That’s why they are here!”

 

Mamoru says, “I hate to admit it, but Leafa does have a point. We couldn’t just wait around and do nothing while you were ‘fading away’. We had to come and help you. So, I can understand how she felt.”

 

Leafa says, “I couldn’t…I couldn’t let you go, big brother.” Soon after, Kirito hugs Leafa much to her surprise.

 

Kirito says, with a warm smile, “I’m sorry that I made you worry, Sugu.”

 

Leafa asks, “Will you stay with me from now on?”

 

Kirito says, with a smile, “Sure, Sugu.”

 

Leafa asks, “And you won’t disappear and leave me?”

 

Kirito says, with a smile, “Of course.”

 

Leafa giggles and she says, “I’m sorry, big brother. Now, you are worried about me. I guess that I was too stubborn.”

 

Kirito says, “It’s okay, Sugu. We’re siblings. We’re family and it’s natural for us to want to be with one another. And you’ve chased me into this world to be with me proves that.”

 

Leafa says, with a nod, “Yeah.” Leafa then asks, “Big brother, will you promise me something?”

 

Kirito asks, “What is it?”

 

Leafa says, “That we can hold onto this moment a little longer.”

 

Kirito says, “Geez, Sugu, you are always so sweet. You haven’t changed these past two years.”

 

Leafa says, with a blush, “Just for today! You haven’t seen that I’m grown up on the other side!”

 

Usagi asks Kirito, with a smile and sigh, “Seriously, Kirito?”

 

Kirito says, “Well, we haven’t seen each other in over two years, Usagi.”

 

Usagi says, with a warm smile, “Yeah. It is nice to see a member of your family again despite in an ‘unusual way’.” Usagi then becomes solemn and she says, “I wonder what my squirt of brother is doing now.”

 

Mamoru says, “Last that I saw Sammy, he has been moved to a new school for security reasons.”

 

Usagi says, with a solemn tone, “I see. It must have been tough on the squirt. His ‘Meatball Head’ sister stuck in a ‘death game’ and him having to go to a new school leaving his friends.”

 

Mamoru says, “It has. It took everything that we had to keep him from coming with us.”

 

Usagi says, “I miss him, but I’m glad that he is safe at home.” Usagi tells Leafa, “Leafa, please. Just make sure that you stay safe. I’ve already seen so much death in this game and if anything were to happen to you…Kirito’s sister…I…I don’t know if I could ever forgive myself.”

 

Everyone can see Usagi trembling slightly and Kirito says, “Usagi, you can’t keep doing this to yourself.”

 

Usagi says, “I know, Kirito. I just can’t… Someone that I trusted so deep…loved so deeply…committed this horror…and I’ve seen so much death.”

 

Leafa asks, curiously and nervously, “So much death?”

 

Kirito says, with a sigh, “Usagi…has gone through a lot and I doubt that even Mamoru knows the full story.”

 

Mamoru asks, “What do you mean?”

 

Kirito looks at Usagi, she nods, and he says, “Usagi will tell you if and when she is ready, but as you already know, she worked her hardest to try to save all of the ‘good’ and decent players of SAO which caused her to have to distinction of being the player that have seen the most death in SAO.” There are gasps of surprise and Kirito says, with a sigh, “The number of players that she saw die in the game must number in the hundreds if not the over few thousand that have died in the game.”

 

Leafa puts her hands over her mouth and she asks, “Big brother?”

 

Kirito says, with a sigh, “It is not an exaggeration, Sugu. There hasn’t been a day when Usagi wasn’t crying or at least, every day that Asuna and I haven’t been with her.” Everyone looks at Usagi and he says, “For example, Lisbeth met Usagi when Usagi saved her life when her guild fell into a trap.”

 

Leafa asks, “Lisbeth was in a guild?”

 

Kirito replies, solemnly, “The word ‘was’ is correct, Sugu. Lisbeth is the only survivor from her guild since Usagi managed to save her life because she was only able to get to her in time.”

 

There are shocked and Leafa says, shocked and horrified, “Oh god!”

 

Kirito says, “The only reason that Usagi is able to hold herself together and not go insane is because of us, the precious people that she has made here in this world, but then again, she is a strong person…a stronger and better person than I could ever be.”

 

Leafa is surprised by this and Usagi yells out, “Kirito, it’s not true! I…I’m not…!!”

 

Mamoru hugs Usagi and he tells her, when Usagi looks at her love, “Yes, you are. You are the strongest person that I had ever known, Meatball Head. You are so strong because you are so caring and so kind and you refuse to let this destroy you.”

 

Usagi sheds tears and she yells out, as those tears stream down her virtual cheeks, “I…I’m not strong! I’m not as strong as you think I am! And it isn’t just because this death game was made by someone that I thought like a second father! I gave my very best and people still died in which they died because of me! Died because I wasn’t strong enough to help… to protect them!”

 

Mamoru tightly hugs Usagi and he says, “Meatball Head, you are only human even if this is a virtual body with things that you can do that you can’t do in real life! My love, not even Sailor Moon can save everyone.”

 

Usagi says, weakly with tears, “I know…but I wish that people…good people didn’t have to die for me to learn that lesson!” Usagi then starts to cry on Mamoru’s chest and he hugs her in which Leafa can’t help to feel great concern and worry for Usagi causing her to put her hand over the area of her virtual body where her heart should be as images of Princess Serenity and a similar looking princess, but with the same eyes that she has as Suguha Kirigaya and a rainbow Milky Way sigil behind a golden crescent moon sigil comes to her mind causing her to shed a few tears.

 

Kirito asks Leafa, seeing her tears, “Sugu, what’s wrong?”

 

Leafa wipes her tears away and she responds, “Nothing, big brother. I’m just thinking that it is really sad that such a good person has to suffer so badly.” Kirito thinks that it is more than that, but he decides to let it go for the moment.

 

December 12, 2024, Floor 76, Arc Sofia

 

During the following day, the Sailor Scouts, Lisbeth, Leafa, Silica, Sinon, and Asuna are discussing about things including about what happened last evening.

 

Asuna says, with a sigh, “It is one of the many reasons that we believe Usagi-chan to be the greatest victim out of all of us.”

 

Lisbeth says, with a weak smile, “She worked so hard to protect us. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be here today.”

 

Silica says, with a nod, “Kirito and Usagi saved my life and went out of their way to help me get Pina back.”

 

Hino says, “That would be Meatball Head for you. She is always so caring about others.”

 

Tomoe says, “I never knew that she had gone through so much.”

 

Asuna says, with a nod of understanding, “She probably didn’t want to worry you, her friends, at all. However, out of all of us, Usagi-chan may be the one that have seen the most death here in SAO. It is why that she is so protective of the players and she even argued with me against a plan against a field boss just in case that it may have a ‘trap’ that will cause the players to lose stats or anything that could put us at a disadvantage and get one of us killed.”

 

Makoto says, “Geez, she must have gone through hell.”

Lisbeth says, with a sigh, “And beyond. I keep telling her not to put herself through so much suffering, but the girl doesn’t listen.” Lisbeth says, looking at Asuna, “Just like another girl that I know.”

 

Asuna blushes in embarrassment and retorts, nervously, “That’s not me anymore!”

 

Lisbeth says, with a giggle, “Just kidding! But that’s how you used to be! Conquest this and dungeon! While Kirito was part of the reason, I think that we have our ‘White Valkyrie’ to thank also for helping you ‘mellow out’.”

 

Asuna gives an annoyed look at Lisbeth and she says, with a sigh, “I guess so. Back then, I really didn’t care if I lived or died, but Usagi refused to let me and believed that my life had value and meaning. She went out of her way to save my life and protect me during those early days.”

 

Minako says, with a smile, “That would be our princess for you. She values human life more than most people.”

 

Asuna says, with a nod and sigh, “And that’s why we see her shed tears much of the time that we are with her. We struggle to survive, but there has been death practically every single day and every death of a good person that has become trapped in here due to Kayaba’s madness is like another knife to her heart. It made Kirito-kun and I determined to end this game as soon as possible in hopes of going to real world and finally see Usagi-chan for real and no longer shedding anymore tears.” At this moment, the Sailor Scouts get a very good idea of the depth of their princess’ pain caused by this ‘death game’ and they can’t help to wonder how much of the princess that they knew is going to be left in Usagi.

 

Lisbeth says, with a smile, “Anyway, Usagi wouldn’t want us to be talking about such depressing stuff. We are going to explain more about Aincard to Leafa and Sinon.”

 

Asuna says, with a kind smile, “Liz is right. Usagi-chan wouldn’t want us to be all depressed about her.”

 

Sinon asks, plainly, “It would cause her to be hurting more, correct?”

 

Makoto says, “Anyway, I’m amazed at all of the food that you have here.”

 

Lisbeth says, with a smile, “Yep! And it doesn’t turn into fat at all!”

 

Mizuno says, “Well, it isn’t surprising since this is a virtual world and all the food is doing is fooling the brain that you have eaten and your body is full.”

 

Makoto asks, “Geez, Mizuno-chan, ruin all the fun for us why don’t you?”

 

Just then a male voice asks, “Hey, what’s going on?” Everyone looks to see Kirito coming towards them.

 

Lisbeth says, “Hey, Kirito, we were just explaining more about Aincard to Leafa and Sinon.”

 

Sinon says, “No matter how much you eat, you won’t get fat.”

 

Leafa says, “It is good for dieting.”

 

Mizuno says, “Not exactly, Leafa. Even with the new Amusphere, there have been cases of players of ‘suffering complications’ since they forget to eat because their bodies have been fooled by eating too much in the virtual world.”

 

Leafa says, with a nod, “Oh, yeah.” Leafa remembers plenty of the early reports of people dying from starvation since they remained in the virtual world too long and have forgotten to eat since their minds were fooled that they had eaten when they ‘ate’ too much ‘virtual food’ especially during much of the early days of ALO.

 

Kirito asks, “So, you guys are talking about food?”

 

Hino says, “I’m beginning to see why Kirito and Meatball Head can relate to each other so well.”

 

Michiru says, with a kind smile, “Easy, Hino-chan.”

 

Leafa asks, “Isn’t food one of the few fun things in this world?”

 

Kirito says, with a nod of his head, “Well, yeah…”

 

Lisbeth says, “There aren’t many foods, but there are plenty of things that are tasty.”

 

Silica says, “You can hand over ingredients to someone that’s skilled at cooking and have them cook an original dish for you. Tastes that aren’t sold at NPC restaurants are very precious.”

 

Minako asks Makoto, “Speaking of which, you have a mastered cooking skill, don’t you?”

 

Makoto says, with a grin, “Yep! I used my spare time to cook a lot in ALO and it transferred here too.”

 

Lisbeth says, “Oh, wow! You might be the only one other than Asuna to have mastered the cooking skill, Mako-chan! Maybe you and Asuna can work on dishes together.”

 

Asuna says, with a smile, “I look forward to it.”

 

Leafa says, with a smile, “I can’t wait.”

 

Kirito says, “You could get Usagi to help you, Asuna.”

 

Asuna says, with a nod, “Good idea, Kirito-kun.”

 

Hino asks, curiously, “Meatball Head?”

 

Kirito says, “Usagi got help from Asuna and she has a real good cooking skill herself. She hasn’t mastered it like Asuna, but she isn’t far behind and in fact, I wouldn’t be surprised that she has mastered it herself by now.”

 

Hino yells out, stunned, “No way! Meatball Head can cook?!”

 

Minako says, a bit nervously, “Back ‘over there’, our princess isn’t exactly a chef and that’s being nice.”

 

Asuna says, with a giggle, “Yes, Usagi-chan told us that.”

 

Haruka says, with a whistle, “Wow. Dumpling has acquired a lot of ‘tricks’ here.”

 

Kirito says, with a sigh, “Well, she stays on the front lines a lot and eating food from NPC was getting bland to her, but I can understand.”

 

Haruka asks, surprised, “Dumping stayed on the front lines?”

 

Asuna says, a bit nervously, “It is because of the ‘awkwardness’ between her and the other players, Haruka.”

 

Kirito says, plainly, “In fact, this is the longest time that Usagi has ever stayed in a town or even set up a ‘home’ of any sort here in Aincard.” This statement gets the other Scouts really concerned about the emotional and mental state of their princess after over two years in this ‘death game’.

 

Asuna says, deciding to change the subject, “Anyway, I can’t wait to see what kind of dishes that you can come up with Mako-chan.”

 

Makoto says, with a grin, “Give me anything and I’ll turn it into a feast.”

Asuna says, with a sigh, “However, if we had access to the lower floors, there are a lot more stuff that I give you to work with.”

 

Leafa says, “I would like to see the lower floors.”

 

Yui then arrives on the scene and she says, “There are plenty of foods here that you can enjoy, Leafa.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “That’s right! There is a lot of food that you can enjoy up here!”

 

Leafa says, annoyed, “Hold on! It sounds like that I’m the only one looking forward to good food!”

 

Kirito asks, curiously, “Isn’t that right?”

 

Leafa says, annoyed, “That’s wrong!”

 

Lisbeth says, “There were a lot of good places down on the lower floors.”

 

Silica says, with a smile, “I went to floor forty-seven with Usagi and Kirito and it was filled with a lot of flowers.”

 

Kirito says, with a smile, “Yeah, Silica. It was a nice place. I would like to go to Flora again.”

 

Silica says, with a blush, “Me too, Kirito! Let’s go!”

 

Kirito says, “Silica, we can’t go to the lower floors anymore.”

 

Silica says, with a solemn tone, “Oh, I forgot.” Silica says, with a smile, “Anyway, talking about the lower floors, there was a place with a huge lake.”

 

Asuna says, “That’s Selmburg on floor sixty-one where my home was.”

 

Mizuno asks, “What was your home like?”

Asuna says, with a smile, “It was a very lovely place.”

 

Kirito says, “And very expensive too. I think that it cost four million Cor for your house alone, Asuna.”

 

Asuna says, with a smile, “I said that it was lovely, not cheap, Kirito-kun.”

 

Kirito says, “Anyway, I recommended my home at Algade at floor fifty.”

 

Lisbeth says, “There is nothing special there and it isn’t exactly safe there.”

 

Kirito responds, “Well, it was the ‘main base’ for a lot of players and it had a good atmosphere in which the order wasn’t too bad, but you couldn’t get lost there.”

 

Sinon asks, “Despite the complications, didn’t you say that it is safe in towns?”

 

Makoto asks, with a nod, “Yeah, aren’t towns ‘safe areas’ where you can’t get attacked?”

 

Kirito says, nodding his head, “That’s true normally. However, there are ways around the system that worst players, in terms of morality, have used to do horrible things.”

 

Asuna says, nodding her head in agreement, “Kirito-kun is right, Sinon. You can manipulate a sleeping player to force an unfair trade or even worse.”

 

Tomoe asks, “Worse?”

 

Kirito says, “Commit a ‘sleep PK’. You see, players can fight duels against each other in town as long as they do in the proper way by sending a challenge through their player menu and the player that they are challenging accepts the duel. However, when they do it in town, the town’s ‘protection’ is lift and they can be ‘damaged’ by the other player in that fight, but these are usually tests of strength between players.”

 

Haruka says, “However, it also means that a player can manipulate a sleeping player’s hand to accept a duel and kill the sleeping opponent since this game’s ‘duel mode’ also have a ‘deplete mode’ where the duel only ends if the opponent’s HP is depleted meaning the death of the player.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod of recognition, “That’s right, Haruka. Any upstanding player in SAO never uses that mode for a duel since it is an unwritten rule between players that you never let another player’s health goes to zero for the reason that death here means true death.”

 

Sinon says, “I see. So, it is no different than what humans do in the real world.”

 

Lisbeth says, with a smile, “However, only a minor number of the players do that. Of course, you have to be cautious, but you’ll get exhausted if you get focused like that.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “That’s true and those type of players don’t come up to these floors. Those players, who we call ‘orange’ or ‘red’ players, don’t come up here since this is the area where the top players are. They usually prey against those players that stay in the middle floor and even those that remain on the lower floors like in the Town of Beginnings.”

 

Hino says, with a snort, “Just a bunch of cowardly bullies.”

 

Kirito says, nodding his head in agreement, “I agree, Hino. I despise those kind of players for all those reasons and more.” Kirito says, with a sigh, “However, while they aren’t united, they agree on one thing.”

 

Leafa asks, “What’s that big brother?”

 

Asuna says, solemnly, “Their hatred of Usagi-chan.” The Sailor Scouts are surprised by this and Asuna says, “Usagi has gone out of her way to stop the criminal players and their guilds from hurting other players in any sort of way especially PK actions against other players and made sure that any who did have been brought to justice as best as possible.”

 

Kirito says, “Usagi is the bane of the criminal guilds even more so than I am. The ‘White Valkyrie’ is known to be the bane of the criminal guilds, but it has put a target on Usagi’s back.”

 

Asuna says, with a nod, “It is one of the many reasons that players like us highly respect Usagi-chan for all that she has done, but it also made her the number one target of criminal guilds especially Laughing Coffin.”

 

Michiru asks, “Laughing Coffin?”

 

Kirito says, with a deadly serious look in his eyes, “The worst criminal guild in all of Aincard. They are a red player guild, which is a guild filled with red players, player killers, led by a sadistic player known only as PoH. They have killed hundreds of players making them in which only the various monsters, traps, and such have killed more players than they have.”

 

Makoto asks, shocked, “They killed players despite knowing that they are truly killing people?”

 

Asuna responds, with a nod, “Yes. Their leader basically brainwashed many in the group by saying that since it was Kayaba’s technology, the NervGear, which was really killing players that they can kill as many players as they want since it would be Kayaba’s fault.”

 

Kirito says, with an angered expression, “While it is true that Kayaba had a hand in their death with what he has done, it doesn’t give any player the right to help the NervGear to kill people.”

 

Haruka says, with a nod, “That’s true. They are basically accessories to murder.”

 

Asuna says, nodding her head in agreement, “It had gotten so bad that some months ago, we led a boss style raid against Laughing Coffin in order to stop them. Usagi-chan was part of the raid as our scout and she was the one that gathered intelligence on Laughing Coffin for our attack.”

 

The Sailor Scouts are stunned and Mizuno asks, amazed, “She did that?”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “She didn’t have to, but she volunteered to help out as much as she can through she didn’t want to get involved directly in the fighting since there was a high possibility that we would be forced to kill Laughing Coffin members. Our mission was to capture them and not kill them, but since they are murdering other players without question, we knew that they would kill without any hesitation and we had to protect ourselves and our fellow assault team comrades.”

 

Asuna says, “Usagi didn’t want to take any player’s life even it was ‘them’. A few of the other players were ‘annoyed’ at this, but the intelligence that she gathered for us made them appreciate what she did for us at the risk of her own life. They appreciated it more when we went on the assault to defeat Laughing Coffin when she found out that Laughing Coffin learned of the attack on their hiding area and planned an ambush. Usagi managed to warn us in time, barely, because when Usagi exposed their ambush attempt, Laughing Coffin rushed to attack us in which we had barely enough time to set up a defense.”

 

Tomoe says, “Oh, wow.”

 

Asuna says, solemnly, “I don’t know what would have happened if Usagi didn’t warn us when she did, but even with all of her efforts, the battle was a nightmare. On that day, we were forced to kill twenty Laughing Coffin members and we lost about ten members of our group that day.” There are looks of shock and Asuna says, solemnly, “And Usagi-chan was there in the chaos doing everything that she can to prevent death on both sides. She had learned the tricks that criminal guilds use against other players and adapted them to use against them including throwing knives that have paralyzing agents to paralyze opponents in which red players like Laughing Coffin used them to make players unable to fight back as they ruthlessly killed them. But even that wasn’t enough to prevent all of the death that battle brought.”

 

Lisbeth says, with a sigh, “I remember when I saw all of you after that battle. You looked like through the worst boss battle of SAO and then some.”

 

This really perks up the interest of the Sailor Scouts, causing them to look at each other, Kirito says, changing the subject, “Anyway, we don’t have to worry about that here. Laughing Coffin has been greatly weakened and the threat of the orange and red guilds has greatly decreased thanks to Usagi’s efforts.”

 

Asuna says, with a smile, “Thinker-san and Yulier-san with their new guild can handle the protection of players on the lower floors while we focus on clearing the game with Usagi.” The Sailor Scouts nod their head in agreement, but they can’t help to be concerned at how their best friend, Sailor Scout leader, and princess have changed in the two years that she has been trapped in SAO.

 

December 12, 2024, Floor 76, Arc Sofia

 

At the area of Arc Sofia that contains the teleport gate, Kirito and Minako, with her silver dragon partner, are walking in which they see Usagi and Mamoru talking with Silica.

 

Minako asks, “Hey, what’s up?”

 

Usagi, Mamoru, and Silica look to see Kirito and Minako coming towards them and Usagi says, with a smile, “Hey, Mina-chan! We just found out that Silica’s level went up!”

 

Kirito asks, “It has?”

 

Silica responds, with a nod, “Yes, Kirito!”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “That’s good, Silica.” Silica gives a giggle and Kirito asks, “Anyway, maybe we should go out and get more training there?”

 

Silica is surprised and Usagi asks, “Are you sure?”

 

Kirito says, with a smile, “Sure, Usagi. I think that with the four of us, Silica will do all right.”

 

Minako says, with a grin, “Yeah. Since she is a beast tamer like me, she and her partner need to get stronger.” Silica’s blue Feathered Dragon, Pina, and Minako’s dragon partner, Rena, give out their animal-like sounds as they seem to greet each other and give sounds of agreement with Minako.

 

Usagi asks Silica, “What do you say Silica?”

 

Silica says, with a nod, “Yes, please!”

 

Kirito says, “Okay, then. Once we are prepared, we’ll go to the fields outside of town.” The others nod their heads in agreement and prepare to head out into the fields of the floor to help Silica in her training.

 

December 12, 2024, Floor 76, Field

 

On the field outside of Arc Sofia, Usagi, Silica, Mamoru, Kirito, and Minako are fighting hard in which they are fighting against the main monster of the field, the Death Stinger.

 

After another one shatters into data particles, Silica says, with a smile, “I did it!”

 

Kirito says, with a smile, “That was pretty good, Silica. However, your aiming was a bit rough. Maybe we should take a break.”

 

Silica says, “I’m okay, Kirito. Let’s keep going.”

 

Usagi asks, “Are you sure Silica?”

 

Silica responds, with a nod, “I’m okay, Usagi.”

 

Usagi says, “Okay, but don’t push yourself too hard.”

 

Silica replies, nodding her head, “Right.” They continue on fighting more bee-like monsters and Silica focuses on getting stronger so Kirito and Usagi don’t have to worry about her. Silica says, “Maybe I can use a skill here.”

 

As the others look to see what she is about to do, Kirito shouts out, concerned, “Silica, don’t do it! That skill won’t work!” Silica then yelps as her technique fails and causing her to stumble as well as suffer a post skill delay.

 

Usagi says, seriously, “She’s in trouble!” Just then they are surrounded by a lot of bee-like monsters.

 

Kirito says, “Crap! I don’t get why monsters pop up at times like this!”

 

Silica and Pina are surrounded by and Silica yells out, “We’re surrounded!”

 

Usagi yells out, “Silica, use a teleport crystal! Get out of here and back to town now!”

 

Silica asks, concerned, “But what about you and Kirito?”

 

Kirito says, “We’ll be all right, Silica. Please get to safety!”

 

Silica says, with a nod, “Okay!” Silica gets a teleport crystal out of her pocket, but it slips out of her hands and Pina then eats the teleport crystal! Silica yells out, stunned, “Pina, no! Don’t eat it!” Silica shouts out, “Kirito! Usagi! Pina ate the teleport crystal!”

 

Usagi yells out, in disbelief, “Say what?!”

 

Kirito says, “Damn it! This isn’t the time for this!”

 

Minako asks, “Can’t she get out another way?”

 

Usagi says, “She would have to go through her player menu and item box in which those bugs can sting her to death literally as well as prevent her from using items!”

 

Kirito yells out, “Silica! Look out on your right!” Silica turns and yells out in fear as a Death Stinger sneak attacks her, but then Pina gets in the way.

 

Silica shouts out, “Pina, please no! Don’t be a scapegoat again!” However, Pina roars out in power as she creates an energy shield that stops the enemy attack in which Silica asks, amazed, “Pina?”

 

Usagi asks, stunned, “Whoa! Did Pina just create some kind of energy shield?”

 

Kirito says, amazed, “It looks like it, Usagi. This is our chance! Break through!” Usagi and Kirito use their Duel Welding to break through the hordes of bee-like enemies to Silica and Pina.

 

Usagi asks, “Are you okay?”

 

Silica responds, with a nod, “Y-Yes, Usagi!”

 

Kirito says, “The enemies are pulling back! Let’s get out of here!” Kirito grabs Silica’s hand and they run away back to the edge of town.

 

Usagi tells Pina, “Pina, come with us!” Pina gives a ‘kyu’ in reply in which Pina follows Silica, Usagi, Kirito, Mamoru, and Minako away from the monsters in which they stop when they are safe.

 

Minako says, “That was close.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “No kidding.”

 

Kirito asks Silica, “Are you okay, Silica?” Silica has a major blush in her cheeks and she doesn’t reply in which he asks, “Could have Silica gotten dizzy when I grabbed her and got her away from danger?”

 

Usagi responds, nervously, “Um, not exactly Kirito.”

 

Minako whispers to Usagi, with a sly smirk, “It seems like Kirito is quite the ‘ladies’ man’.”

Usagi tells Minako, annoyed, “Mina-chan!”

 

After getting over her embarrassment, Silica asks Pina, “Are you okay, Pina? Are you injured?” Pina gives some happy chirps in reply and she says, “I’m sorry, Pina. You had to protect me again. I’m sorry that I’m a useless partner and master.”

 

Usagi tells Silica, with a kind smile, “You aren’t useless, Silica. Pina shows that she really cares about you and that’s why she did what she did.”

 

Silica says, with a nod, “I know.”

 

Kirito says, “Anyway, we should get back to town. We’ve had a big day.” Silica nods her head in agreement as the group heads back into Arc Sofia.

 

December 12, 2024, Floor 76, Arc Sofia

 

Back inside of Arc Sofia, we are at the main teleport gate area of the main town of this floor of Aincard in which Usagi, Mamoru, Minako, Kirito, and Silica are together.

 

Usagi asks, “What are you going to do Silica?”

 

Silica responds, “I think that I’m going to rest for a while. Pina did a lot of work and I want her to rest and recover.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Good idea, Silica. You and Pina have had a big day.”

 

Usagi says, “We’ll invite you again when we can.”

 

Silica says, with a smile, “Thank you, Usagi-chan. I would like that a lot.”

 

Silica takes off to take it easy and Minako says, “Man, she is so young.”

 

Usagi says, “She is only about fourteen years old. She was only twelve when she was trapped here in SAO.”

 

Minako says, shocked, “Whoa! You’re kidding me!”

 

Usagi says, with a sigh, “I wish that I was Mina-chan.”

 

Mamoru says, angered, “That’s just sick. She is just a poor little girl and Kayaba traps her in this nightmare forcing her to survive without her family.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “I know, Mamoru. Kayaba has no value on human life, not even Usagi’s own life. I’m sorry that if it hurts Usagi, but I can never forgive him for what he has done to you, Silica, and everyone else.”

 

Usagi responds, shaking her head, “No, Kirito, I understand. Even to this day, I don’t understand at all why he has done this to us…and to be honest, I don’t think that I really want to know anymore.” Usagi puts her hands across her chest and Mamoru and Minako look at her in which they see the pain in her eyes caused by this whole ordeal which our Moon Princess can never forgive her formally beloved uncle for what he has done.

 

December 13, 2024, Floor 76, Arc Sofia

 

In the area of Arc Sofia that has a teleport gate, Dai and Akari appear out of the teleport gate and they walk into the main plaza.

 

Akari says, “I’m glad that Philia is okay.”

 

Dai says, “She seems to be doing fine.”

 

Akari says, “Yeah, but I think that she can’t escape from the Hollow Area.”

 

Dai asks, “Could it have to do with that doppelganger?”

 

Akari says, “Maybe, Dai-kun.”

 

Just then a female voice shouts out, “Hey, Dai! Akari!” Dai and Akari look to see Usagi, Mamoru, Minako, Kirito, and Silica coming towards them.

 

Dai asks, “What’s up?”

 

Kirito responds, “We were preparing to head to the next floor to explore and possibly find the boss room.”

 

Minako asks, “Where have you been?”

 

Dai responds, “In the Hollow Area.”

 

There are looks of surprise and Usagi asks, “You can get back to the Hollow Area?”

 

Dai replies, “We were just there talking with Philia.”

 

Akari tells Dai, “Dai-kun, the others told me that no one else other than Usagi and Kirito can go into the Hollow Area along with us.”

 

Dai asks, amazed, “Really?”

 

Akari gives a sigh and Usagi says, “Well, this shows that Dai and Akari can go into the Hollow Area like you and I can Kirito.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Yes. And maybe they can take one person with them like we can.”

 

Dai asks, “You can take other people into the Hollow Area?”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Yeah, if they are in a party with us, but only one person for each of us.”

 

Dai says, plainly, “That means we can only bring four more people with us to the Hollow Area.”

 

Akari tells Dai, “Hold on, Dai-kun! The markings on our hands are different from the ones on the hands of Usagi and Kirito! We need to make sure that we can take other players with us to the Hollow Area.”

 

Dai says, with a nod, “Good point, Kari-chan.”

 

Kirito says, “Anyway, it is good to hear that Philia-san is all right.”

 

Akari says, “Philia is okay, Kirito.”

 

Usagi asks, curiously, “Why doesn’t she want to come back?”

 

Dai responds, a bit nervously through trying to remain calm, “Well, Philia is a treasure hunter and her meeting with Kirito has encouraged her to look for new and awesome treasures.” Kirito and Mamoru think that there is more than what Dai is saying, but they decide to not going into it for the moment.

 

Usagi says, with a nod of understand, “Okay.”

 

Akari asks, looking Silica, “Why is Silica with you?”

 

Kirito says, “We’re taking her with us exploring the next floor with us.”

 

Dai asks, surprised, “Are you sure?”

 

Usagi says, with a smile, “Silica has worked real hard and she has leveled up to a level around many players in the assault team.”

 

Silica says, with a shy smile, “Thank you, Usagi. However, I’m nowhere near as strong as you or Kirito.”

 

Kirito tells Silica, “I already told you that our strength here is nothing more than stats and skills, Silica.”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, “The reason that you are taking her along is you want to see if something happened to Pina.”

 

Flashback; December 12, 2024

 

Within Arc Sofia, Usagi, Mamoru, Minako, and Kirito are talking with Asuna, Leafa, Lisbeth, and the Sailor Scouts on what happened when they took Silica and Pina out for training.

When they are done, Asuna asks, stunned, “Pina ate a teleportation crystal and created a defense shield?”

 

Minako says, with a nod, “Yep. That gave us enough time to get Silica and Pina out of that mess.”

 

Makoto asks, “Why did that happen?”

 

Mizuno says, “In other games, ‘partner monsters’ to players can grow and develop new strength and abilities based on many factors in a game including what you feed them.”

 

Haruka asks, “So, the teleport crystal was like special food to that little dragon and the crystal gave it new abilities?”

 

Mizuno says, with a nod, “It is likely.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Good point, Mizuno.” Kirito tells Asuna and Usagi, “If it is okay with Usagi, I would like to take Silica and Pina with us for the next exploration.”

 

Usagi asks, stunned, “What?”

 

Asuna asks, also stunned, “You want to take Silica-chan to the front lines?”

 

Kirito says, “She’ll be fine, Asuna. She has improved greatly and she is at a level with most of the assault team.”

 

Asuna responds, “That’s not my point, Kirito-kun! She was a little girl of just twelve when she was trapped here in SAO and she went through a near death experience during these two years!”

 

Kirito says, “I know, Asuna. Usagi and I were the ones to save her. Look, I’m just to see on what Pina’s new abilities and how it can help her and Silica in the future. Anyway, both Usagi and I are going to be there and if it gets really bad, I will tell her to teleport back to Arc Sofia immediately.”

 

Usagi and Asuna look at each other and Usagi says, with a sigh, “Fine, Kirito, but I’m keeping a close eye on her.”

 

Asuna tells Kirito, with a glare, “I trust you, Kirito-kun, but if she starts acting ‘strange’, you and I are going to have a ‘private discussion’ with Usagi-chan, got it?”

 

Kirito responds, nervously, “Yes, ma’am.”

 

Plenty of the others snicker at this and Minako says, with a sly grin, “Dude, you are so ‘whipped’.”

 

Lisbeth says, with a grin, “Argo would love to see this.”

 

Kirito says, annoyed, “Thanks a lot, Liz.”

 

End Flashback; Return to the Present

 

Back in the present, Dai and Akari decide to join the group as they all assemble within the teleport gate and prepare to head out.

 

Kirito tells Silica, “If things get bad, Silica, remember to use the teleport crystal.”

 

Minako says, with a kind smile, “And try not to drop it and have Pina eat it this time.”

 

Silica says, with a blush of embarrassment, “Right, Minako-san.”

 

Dai asks, “So, where are we going?”

 

Usagi says, with a plain tone, “Teleport: Lunet!” Soon after, the whole group is engulfed in blue light as they teleport to Floor 78 as they prepare to explore that floor to find the boss’ lair to continue onto the final floor of Aincard and the way home for the people trapped in SAO.

 

December 13, 2024, Floor 78, Field

 

Outside of the town of Lunet, the main town of Floor 78, the group consisting of Usagi, Kirito, Mamoru, Minako, Silica, Dai, and Akari with Minako’s and Silica’s two dragons, are looking at the vast field which constants of rocky and craggy ground.

 

Mamoru says, “This floor looks like it consists of some nasty terrain.”

 

Kirito says, “However, the roads seem to be still useable.”

 

Usagi says, “But it doesn’t mean that the monsters need to use those roads.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Good point, Usagi. Let’s keep on guard.”

 

Dai says, “No kidding, dude.” The group heads off in which they encounter the main monsters of this field, Orc Warriors and dragon-like monsters known as Wyverns, in which one of the quests that Kirito and Usagi picked up from an NPC was to kill some Wyvern monsters in which together with their group, they go through them quite quick. Soon after, they get into a forest area where their main enemies were mushroom style monsters which weren’t much trouble. They find themselves at a crossroads between a deeper part of a forest and a building of some sort.

 

Akari asks, “Which way to do we go?”

 

Usagi says, pointing to a sign, “There is a sign.”

 

Mamoru says, reading the sign, “Left: Cave of the blacksmith. Right: Forest inhabited by a dragon.”

 

Silica asks, a bit concerned, “A dragon?”

 

Minako says, “Some choice.”

 

Akari says, “However, I don’t think that we can advance by going left, Minako.”

 

Dai says, “This may be a rotten ‘death game’, but it is a game. Something tells me that the only way to go forward is into the dragon’s forest and beating the crap out of a dragon.”

 

Usagi responds, drolly, “Why must you have a point, Dai?”

 

Kirito asks, “Well, what are we waiting for?” Kirito starts to take off the in direction that mentioned the dragon and Dai followed him immediately in which Usagi and Akari sigh as they follow them with the others not too far behind. Soon enough, they find a large red dragon with yellow eyes and a powerful red aura.

 

Dai says, with a whistle, “When they said dragon, they don’t go half-baked.”

 

Usagi says, with a sigh, “Kayaba never does Dai.”

 

Silica says, nervously, “Looks strong…”

 

Just then the dragon speaks in a strong voice, “Do you wish to pass through here?”

 

Usagi yells out, shocked, “It spoke?!”

 

Kirito says, “It could be part of a quest, Usagi.”

 

Mamoru then says, “Yes, we want to pass!”

 

The dragon responds, “Then show me your strength since I am looking for those that are more powerful than I, warriors! I look for those that can slash me and find the weapon that can break my aura!”

 

Kirito says, drawing his swords, “Everyone, step back.”

 

Usagi asks, surprised, “Kirito?”

 

Kirito says, “We can’t get to the main dungeon if we don’t break through. I’ll try to break through!”

 

Akari says, “You don’t know if it is simply fighting him!” Kirito doesn’t listen as he leaps forward to the fight and all it ends up is him on the ground on his bottom.

 

Minako says, “Akari told you so, Kirito.”

 

Kirito says, drolly, “Kind of got that, Minako.”

 

Silica asks, concerned, “Are you okay, Kirito?”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “I’m okay, Silica. However, I can’t break through that aura.”

 

Usagi says, “The dragon said that he wanted us to find the weapon that could break his aura, Kirito.”

 

Kirito says, “Yeah. And I think that blacksmith cave might have it.” The group then heads off and goes into the cave/building that mentioned a blacksmith and after going through a few enemies, they find a NPC in the room.

 

Akari asks, “Who is that?”

 

Usagi says, “He is an NPC.”

 

The group goes over to the NPC character, named Elliott, and the NPC tells them, “It is rare to see people around here. I’m researching an ancient weapon here. There is seems to be a weapon of unbelievable power and it is a sword that can cut through seas and incredible monsters. It is something interesting.”

 

Minako says, with a smirk, “Sounds like our kind of sword.”

 

Kirito says, “We need that kind of sword.”

 

NPC Elliott says, “I have read about a sword like that. It is said that to be made from pure black stones.”

 

Usagi says, “We need to make sure that sword.”

 

NPC Elliott says, “It might be possible with the right materials.”

 

Mamoru asks, “Do you know where we can get the materials?”

 

NPC Elliott replies, “There is a powerful Golem in this place that should have the materials.”

 

Silica says, nervously, “Sounds powerful…”

 

Kirito says, with a plain tone, “It sounds like a simple event.”

 

NPC Elliott tells Kirito, “I won’t stop you if you are so confident. Talk to me again once you get the materials.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Right.” Soon enough, the group heads off deeper into the cavern to find the golem.

 

Usagi says, “Don’t be too sure about it being simple, Kirito. This is a ‘quest boss’ that we could be talking about and you know how tough they can be.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “I know, Usagi, but I’m sure that we will be okay.”

 

Silica says, “I trust you and Kirito, Usagi.”

Usagi says, with a smile, “Thanks, Silica.” The group goes through the caves and fought plenty of monsters known as Stone Golems without too much trouble. However, they come into a room where two Stone Golems are with another higher level monster known as an Iron Golem.

 

Minako says, “That guy looks different from the others.”

 

Mamoru says, “He might be the one.”

 

Silica says, shyly, “He looks pretty strong.”

 

Dai says, “We’ll need to divide up. Kari-chan and I will take on one of the stone golems.”

 

Mamoru says, “Mina and I will take the other one.”

 

Kirito says, “That leaves Usagi, Silica, and I to take on the Iron Golem.” Usagi and Silica nod their heads in agreement and they rush in with Dai and Akari easily taking care of their Stone Golem without much trouble. Mamoru and Minako keep their Stone Golem contained while Usagi, Silica, and Kirito with a bit of help from Pina are fighting the Iron Golem. Kirito blocks the Iron Golem’s fist attack with Cross Block while Silica attacks it with Fad Edge, a 4 hit Dagger Sword Skill combo.

 

When the Iron Golem turns towards Silica, Pina uses its bubble attack to disorient it and Usagi shouts out, “Switch, Silica!”

 

Silica responds, with a nod, “Right!” Silica gets out of the way while Usagi leaps into the fray causing her to use Double Circular, a 2 hit Duel Welding Sword Skill combo.

 

Kirito says, “Nice work, Usagi! My turn! Inferno Raid!” Kirito then strikes hard with a 9 hit Duel Welding Sword Skill combo attack and the Iron Golem shatters into hundreds of data polygons.

 

Afterwards, with Mamoru and Minako done with their opponent, Usagi then sees a strange stone and she says, “Look at that!” They assemble together, Kirito picks up the stone, and Usagi creates a screen prompt that shows the stone as ‘Dragon Destroyer Stone’.

 

Minako says, “That must be it.”

 

Akari says, “Let’s get it back to the NPC.” The group then returns to NPC Elliott and Kirito hands him the Dragon Destroyer Stone.

 

Kirito asks, “Is this it?”

 

NPC Elliott responds, “It is. Please wait.” The NPC then forges the stone into an item known as ‘Dragon Destroyer Sword’ and he says, “Sorry for the wait. Please take it. However, it can’t be used as a weapon. Please don’t use it as a weapon.”

 

Minako asks, “It isn’t equipment?”

 

Mamoru says, “Most likely, it is just a special item used for advancing a quest.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “It seems so.”

 

Dai says, “Anyway, let’s get back to that dragon.” The group nods their heads in agreement and they head out to meet the red dragon, known as a Flare Dragon, once again.

 

When they see the Flare Dragon, Kirito says, “Let’s do this.”

 

Silica says, shyly, “Right.”

 

Usagi says, with a kind smile, “Don’t worry, Silica. We’re all with you. It’ll be all right.”

 

The Flare Dragon asks, “Are you prepared?” Soon after, Kirito uses the Dragon Destroyer Sword and while the sword breaks, the Flare Dragon’s aura barrier is destroyed as well. The Flare Dragon says, “You destroyed the aura around me, but your sword has been broken as well!”

 

Dai says, with a grin, “We won’t need it to beat you now!”

 

The Flare Dragon retorts, greatly irritated tone in its voice, “How dare you say that to me, you brat? Challenge me if you dare!” The Flare Dragon roars in as it charges at our group.

 

Usagi asks, nervously, “Did you have to say that?”

 

Mamoru says, seriously, “It’s coming!” The group immediately surrounds Flare Dragon with Akari, her shield up, taking the brunt of its attack, but her defensive stance allows her to take the assault with practically no damage.

 

Dai says, “Nobody tries to turn my girl into burnt toast and gets away with it!” Dai then strikes back with Horizontal Square, the 4 hit One-Handed Sword Skill combo, in which he uses his ‘Skill Connect’ to then strike with Vertical Square, another 4 hit One-Handed Sword Skill combo in which he ends with Slant, a one hit One-Handed Sword Skill combo which gives significant damage to Flare Dragon. The Flare Dragon switches towards Dai and attempts to attack him while he is going through the post motion delay, but Akari comes in and once again, blocks with her shield. Dai says, with a grin, “Nice, Kari-chan!”

 

Akari says, with a warm smile, “You have my back and I will always have your back, Dai-kun.” Silica then comes in with a Fad Edge, a 4 hit Dagger Sword Skill combo.

 

Minako shouts out, “Hey, you overgrown lizard!” When Flare Dragon turns to Minako, she hits him with Embracer, a one hit Martial Art Sword Skill, right in the face causing Flare Dragon to get disorient Flare Dragon.

 

Usagi says, “Good job, Mina-chan!”

 

Kirito says, “Switch now!” Minako leaps out of the way in which Kirito slashes Flare Dragon, Usagi then leaps in to do the same, and Mamoru then leap in and slashes Flare Dragon in which they do this several times in perfect unison causing significant damage to Flare Dragon. When Flare Dragon attacks with its fangs, Usagi uses Cross Block, the Duel Welding Sword Skill defensive move, to block the attack and throw Flare Dragon back.

 

Usagi says, “Now, Mamoru-kun!” Mamoru then lands the final blow with a Vorpal Strike, a powerful one hit One-Handed Sword Skill combo, in which the last of Flare Dragon’s health is gone and it shatters into hundreds of data polygons.

 

Minako says, excitedly, “We did it!”

 

The Flare Dragon’s voice then booms, “Well done, young warriors! I, who can only live through only combat, can finally face death in battle…I’m glad that I could fight a worth set of foes in the end.”

 

Usagi asks, “Does that mean the event is cleared?”

 

Kirito says, “It seems so, Usagi.”

 

Silica, who just leveled up with Minako and Mamoru, says, with a smile, “And we just leveled up!”

 

Akari says, with a smile, “That’s good!”

 

Kirito tells Silica, “You did well, Silica.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “You might be ready for the front lines.”

 

Silica says, with a smile, “Thank you, Usagi. Thank you, Kirito.”

 

Minako says, with a smile, “You rocked girl!”

 

Silica giggles and Mamoru says, “Anyway, we should keep going.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Right, Mamoru-kun.” Soon after, our group ventures forward into the forest until they venture into maze area of dungeon where they proceeded to sure for the door to the boss room where they found multiple golem and fiend type enemies known as Gargoyles. When they reach a long hallway, Usagi and Kirito gain a ‘familiar feeling’.

 

Kirito says, “There is a different ‘feel’ to this place than the rest of the floor.”

 

Silica asks, “Could the boss’ room be here?”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “It could be possible, Silica. This feels nastily familiar to me.”

 

Dai says, “Let’s go everyone.” The group then heads down the hallway and they find a familiar set of doors in front of them.

 

Akari says, “This is it.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “We’ve found the boss’ room.”

 

Usagi says, “We did Kirito.”

 

Kirito says, nodding his head, “Now, all we need to do is head back and contact the rest of the assault team to plan our boss raid.”

 

Usagi says, “I’ll set the crystal.” Kirito nods his head and Usagi prepares to set the Corridor Crystal to allow the boss raid force to get to the boss room quickly when the assault team prepares their attack this floor’s boss.

 

December 13, 2024, Floor 76, Arc Sofia

 

Nighttime in Arc Sofia where Kirito, Usagi, Silica, Mamoru, Minako, Dai, and Akari return into the main plaza that contains the teleport gate.

 

Silica says, “We made it back safely, Kirito.”

 

Kirito tells Silica, “You did a great job, Silica.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod and a smile, “Yeah! You really showed that you are just as good as any member of the assault team, Silica.”

 

Silica says, with a smile and giggle, “Thank you, Usagi. But I feel that I still get in yours and the others’ way.”

 

Kirito says, shaking his head, “No, Silica. You and Pina did great. It shows that you are better than a lot of other tamers. In fact, there are no other tamers in the ‘ranks’ of the assault team. You and Pina are an excellent team.”

 

Silica says, “Pina is my best friend.”

 

Pina gives a happy ‘kyu’ in reply and Usagi says, “Anyway, we should take a rest back at the inn, Silica.”

 

Silica responds, “Yeah.”

 

Kirito says, “Go on ahead, Silica. We need to report to Asuna that we found the boss’ room.”

 

Silica replies, with a nod, “Okay, Kirito.”

 

Silica then heads back to Agil’s inn/shop and when she is gone, Minako says, “Wow. She is strong for someone so young.”

 

Kirito says, with a plain tone, “She was forced to grow up, Minako.”

 

Usagi says, wrapping her arms around herself, “We all were. Kayaba had no right to strip her of her childhood. Silica was only twelve when she came to SAO and Pina was only ‘being’ that saved her for the loneness of being without her parents or anyone that she loved.”

 

Minako says, “Until you and Kirito came along. She really looks up to the two of you.”

 

Usagi says, with a smile, “That she does.”

 

Mamoru asks, “So, she reminded you of your little sister, Kirito?”

 

Kirito says, with a plain tone, “Yeah. The sister that I knew two years ago, but even though that Leafa is only her avatar, I know that Sugu has grown up and I think that her ALO avatar is a reflection of that.”

 

Usagi says, “We really missed a lot. I can only imagine what my squirt of a brother looks like now.”

 

Mamoru says, with a warm loving tone, “You can see when you get home, my love.” Usagi smiles warmly at Mamoru and nuzzles in which Minako takes off.

 

Minako says, “Anyway, I’m going to see if Takashi is here.”

 

Akari says, “Dai-kun and I will come with you.”

 

Dai nods his head in agreement and Kirito says, “Okay. Thanks for your help.”

 

Dai says, “No problem, bro. All of us want to get you out of here.” Minako, Dai, and Akari take off as Mamoru, Usagi, and Kirito watch them go.

 

Usagi asks Kirito, “Do you really think that what Taichi-san said is true?”

 

Kirito says, “I believe that Taichi is right, Usagi. Dai’s and Akari’s real bodies must be alive and intact or they wouldn’t be here.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “I know so too, Kirito. Personally, I really want to believe because I want to believe that some good came from Kayaba’s technology.”

 

Kirito says, nodding his head, “So do I, Usagi.” Kirito says, with a plain tone, “We should report to Asuna.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Right.” Usagi, Kirito, and Mamoru then take off to find Asuna to report to her that they have the boss’ room where they can start planning the attack on the boss of Floor 78 of Aincard/SAO.

 

And that’s the chapter, everyone! As you can see, there is going to be a lot of drama, romance, and humor than the original Sailor Moon Online story and I’ve already given you a good idea on what the romances are going to be, folks! And remember, there are going to spoilers for the Shadow of Aincard sequel to the original story, but you are going to have to read and find out what they are! And since there is going to be a sequel to Hollow Fragment video game AKA ‘Lost Song’, this story might have sequel too, but that’s in the future, folks! Later and best wishes, Crossover Fans!