Crossover Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Sailor Moon Online: Hollow Fragment ❯ Battling to the Top ( Chapter 10 )

As I said in the ending commentary in the last chapter, this story is a ‘spin-off’ to my original Sailor Moon Online, but I also intend for it to be more than just a plain ‘spin-off’, I want to give this story a ‘life’ of its own. I’m hoping to give this story its own ‘identity’ while leaving its connection to the original fanfiction that it is based off of ‘valid’ and intact, folks! I’m hoping that I’m doing a good job of that.

 

I DO NOT OWN Sailor Moon, Sword Art Online, Accel World, Digimon series, Yu-Gi-Oh R/GX/5Ds/Zexal/Arc-V, Kingdom Hearts, 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 10: Battling to the Top

 

December 20, 2024, Hollow Area

 

In the Hollow Area Control Area, Kirito, Philia, Akari, and Asuna are together as Kirito gives Philia an improved dagger.

 

Kirito tells Philia, “Here you go, Philia.”

 

Philia responds, “Thank you, Kirito.”

 

Kirito says, “No problem. Anyway, I don’t think that it is a good idea for you to stay here with someone like Mimete on the loose.”

 

Philia responds, with a forced smile, “I’ll be fine, Kirito.”

 

Asuna asks, “Are you sure, Philia-san?”

 

Philia replies, with a nod, “I’ll been here for a month now. I’ll be okay.”

 

Akari tells Philia, “We’ll be back, Philia. We promise.”

 

Philia says, with a smile, “I know, Akari.” Kirito, Asuna, and Akari head over to the teleport stone and use it to return to Arc Sofia in which Philia has a solemn look on her face.

 

December 20, 2024, Floor 76, Arc Sofia

 

Within Agil’s shop/inn in Arc Sofia, Mamoru, our Sailor Scouts, Leafa, Lisbeth, Silica, Sinon, Klein, and our two Keybladers, Sora and Kairi, are together as Lisbeth looks at Usagi’s new Keyblade.

 

Silica asks, “So, it is a Keyblade?”

 

Setsuna says, with a nod, “It is Silica. It is one of the strongest weapons in all universes. My Garnet Rod is based on the Keyblade, but nowhere close to its power.”

 

Sinon says, plainly, “It is looks like a very large key…A very strange large key.”

 

Kairi says, with a smile, “Well, don’t let looks fool you.”

 

Lisbeth says, “It is pretty weird…and yet, pretty cool looking.”

 

Tomoe says, “It looks so amazing, Setsuna-mama.”

 

Setsuna says, “That it is, Firefly. The Keyblade can unlock any door no matter what. However, since Kayaba didn’t just lock all of the players’ logout buttons, but took away the logout feature, the Keyblade can’t help.”

 

Haruka says, with a nod, “If there is no ‘door’ to ‘unlock’, you can’t expect the Keyblade unlock it, right? It seems like the Keyblade can only be used as an offensive weapon for the time being.”

 

Michiru says, “I don’t think so, Haruka-chan. If the Keyblade can unlock any ‘door’, what about locked passageways in the game itself? Typically, you would need to complete certain requires in order to open those gateways, but the Keyblade could be the ‘ultimate cheat code’ in this case.”

 

Sinon says, “That’s actually a pretty valid theory.”

 

Mamoru says, “I agree. The Keyblade should be able to unlock any locked passages that may require some kind of quest or event to continue on.”

 

Sora says, with a smile, “I don’t see why not.”

 

Kairi says, “When there is a ‘door’ that Sora needed to open, the Keyblade help guided his way.”

 

Sinon says, “Basically, it means that with the Keyblade, we have a new way to advance quickly in the game.”

 

Silica says, excitedly, “That’s great!”

 

Lisbeth asks, “Hey, can I see it?”

 

Sora says, “Hold it!” Everyone looks at Sora and he says, “Only someone chosen by the Keyblade can weld it. Usagi was only able to use Kairi’s Keyblade since it deemed her worthy to.”

 

Makoto asks, “So, the Keyblade is alive?”

 

Setsuna responds, “In a way, yes.”

 

Hino asks, “How can a weapon be alive?”

 

Kairi says, “I’m not sure, but the Keyblade is picky on who is allowed to weld them.”

 

Sora says, taking out his Keyblade Key Keyblade, “Here, catch.”

 

Sora throws his Keyblade to Klein, he catches, and he asks, “Are you sure that you want me…?” He then yelps as it vanishes from his hands and reappears in Sora’s hands.

 

Setsuna says, “I believe our young Keyblade Warrior has made the point quite clear.”

 

Haruka says, with a nod, “Yeah.”

 

Klein says, annoyed, “No fair!”

 

There are plenty of snickers and Usagi asks, “Could Lisbeth do an appraisal on it?”

 

Usagi puts her Keyblade on the table and Hino says, “Hey, Meatball Head, I don’t think you can just appraise a legendary real world weapon that became part of a digital world using abilities that come from a computer system.” However, Lisbeth pokes the Keyblade with her finger and menu prompt appears above the Keyblade which surprises everyone.

 

Lisbeth says, “Well, this says that this baby is called Lunar Light and it is listed as a Keyblade…Holy crap! This thing has really high stats and when I mean high, most weapons in SAO don’t even come close to the stats of this baby, player made or monster drop!”

 

There are surprised looks and Klein asks, “Really?”

 

Agil, who is behind the counter, whistles and he says, “If it coming from one of the top blacksmiths of SAO, it must be something.”

 

Usagi says, taking her Keyblade, “Lunar Light, huh? To be honest, it is very lovely.”

 

Leafa says, with a nod, “It is a bit strange for a sword, but it is also very beautiful too.”

 

Minako says, with a smile, “Well, you can’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”

 

Haruka says, “Especially with Mimete on the loose.”

 

Usagi says, with a sigh, “Yeah.”

 

Klein asks, “Anyway, are you serious?”

 

Usagi says, with a plain tone, “Deadly serious, Klein. However, I don’t get how she can do it. It is impossible for SAO to connect to other worlds and I doubt that Mimete herself could have the power herself.”

 

Mizuno says, “It is really confusing and very concerning. From what I could tell from the control console in the Hollow Area Control Area, it might be possible that SAO’s processing power is getting stronger.”

 

There are surprised looks and Silica asks, “What do you mean Mizuno-san?”

 

Sinon says, “It means that the game is getting enhanced by the other ‘digital worlds’ that it is getting connected to.”

 

Mizuno says, with a nod, “That’s right, Sinon. It is like linking multiple computers and servers together to enhance their processing power. In this case, SAO’s programming, processing ability, and more is getting enhanced, but it may be making things worse.”

 

Agil says, “With the ‘glitches’ in the game, this ‘enhancement’ might make things worse and the ‘malfunction’ might be even worse.”

 

Mizuno says, with a nod, “Exactly, Agil-san.”

 

Lisbeth says, drolly, “Just great.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Took the words right out of my mouth, Liz.”

 

Just then Kirito’s voice says, “Then it shows that we need to complete the game as quickly as possible.” Everyone then looks to see Kirito, Asuna, Akari, and Dai enter the room.

 

Lisbeth says, with a smirk, “It looks like the lovebirds are back.” Dai, Akari, Kirito, and Asuna blush and Lisbeth asks, with a teasing tone, “By the way, Asuna, did you meet with the ‘pretty young treasure hunter’ of the Hollow Area?”

 

Asuna says, with a plain tone and the blush on her cheeks, “Yes, I met Philia-san. She does have an orange cursor, but despite that, she seems to be a quite honorable person and nowhere near the typical orange.”

 

Lisbeth asks, with a sly grin, “You know what I really meant Asuna?”

Asuna yells out, annoyed with a blush still on her cheeks, “Liz!”

 

There are plenty of laughs and such and Makoto asks, “Anyway, did you see any of those players that she was talking about?”

 

The others from the four that came in became serious and Kirito says, with a nod, “Yeah, we did see other players in there and Dai, Akari, and Philia did have a point about them.”

 

Asuna says, with a nod, “I agree, Kirito-kun. They seem…I really can’t explain it. They seem like regular players, but something about them was…off.”

 

Leafa asks, curiously, “Off?”

 

Kirito says, “We don’t know how to explain it much Dai, Akari, and Philia were unable to, but the players, if they are really players, in the Hollow Area are different from the ones here in Aincard. It does make me believe that one of them could have ‘gone wild’ and attacked Philia-san for some reason and while this ‘player’ was still green, Philia was forced to kill this player.” Kirito glances at Dai and Akari and he thinks, “However, something tells me that while it is not a lie, it isn’t the whole story.”

 

Klein says, “I don’t get why she would want to stay there after an experience like that.”

 

Asuna tells Klein, “Klein, even though Philia-san was forced to kill in self-defense, the system is treating her like a criminal player! The instant that she arrived in Arc Sofia, she would be attacked by the NPC guards!”

 

Klein says, “Oh, yeah. You’re right.”

 

Silica asks, “Doesn’t mean that Philia-san is trapped since the only way for her to return to Aincard is here in Arc Sofia only?”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Yes, it seems that way.”

 

Asuna asks, “What do you mean Kirito-kun?”

 

Kirito responds, “We both know that those players in the Hollow Area are ‘unusual’, but something about them doesn’t seem right just like Dai, Akari, and Philia said they are.”

 

Dai asks, “Okay, so?”

 

Kirito replies, “What if they aren’t players at all?”

 

There are surprised looks and Asuna says, “Kirito-kun, Philia-san’s cursor wouldn’t be orange if she didn’t commit against a player.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “True, but what if the system mistaken who or what Philia-san attacked as a player? With the system as it is now, we can’t say that it is not possible.”

 

Klein asks, “But Kirito, dude, who or what could the system mistake as a player?”

 

Kirito says, “I’m not sure, Klein. To be honest, it is only a theory and right now, there is no evidence to back it up.”

 

Mamoru says, “Well, right now, our main focus should be on stopping Mimete and finishing the game as soon as possible.”

 

Mizuno says, “I agree. However, we can’t let Mimete do as she pleases in the game until we can complete it.”

 

Haruka says, with a nod, “No joke. When we beat this game, Mimete will go down with it as long as she is still ‘bound’ to Aincard itself.”

 

Michiru says, “And she will be making every attempt to not let the game get cleared until she can escape herself.”

 

Kirito says, “And it could mean that she could target other players in the meantime to get to us especially Usagi.”

 

Usagi asks, concerned, “Me?”

 

Kirito says, “It is like Mimete said, Usagi. She wants you distressed and in despair so she can feed off your negative emotions like she did with all of the dark emotions that we have released from the game.”

 

Silica says, with a shiver, “She used our pain to get stronger. It is…its wrong!”

 

Lisbeth says, “Yeah, I know. But this is a big bad villainess, Silica-chan, and you know how they can be.”

Leafa asks, “So, what can we do, big brother?”

 

Kirito says, “Right now, our best bet is clearing the game as quickly as possible, but I think we should also go into the Hollow Area and try to find Mimete.”

 

Haruka says, “Whoa, cowboy! Hold up! Mimete isn’t just some in-game monster! She is monster in human form with human-like intelligence and adaptability with powers that go beyond this game!”

 

Hino says, “No kidding, Kirito! We’re the only ones with a chance against Mimete!”

 

Kirito says, “Only around here, but you can’t get to the Hollow Area without Usagi, Dai, Akari, or me.”

 

The Sailor Scouts look at each other and Mamoru says, with a sigh, “Kirito has a point. And each of them can only carry one person at a time.”

 

Kirito says, “And we are in all in this like it or not. Once Mimete threatened the lives of everyone who survived here on Sword Art Online, it became our problem, not just the problem of Usagi and her friends.”

 

Asuna says, with a nod, “I agree with Kirito-kun. All of us, not just us who have been fighting on the frontlines, have been fighting in one form or another to survive until we can be freed from this. Mimete is threatening our survival and that means it is the problem for everyone.”

 

Makoto says, “I’m not saying that I agree with her not to leave to us, but she does have a point.”

 

Minako says, with a nod, “I’ve got to agree with Mako-chan.”

 

Haruka says, with her crossed in front of her, “It doesn’t mean that I have to like it.”

 

Mamoru says, “For now, we should focus on getting to the top as quickly as possible.”

 

Mizuno says, “But we have to remember that the faster we get to the top of Aincard, the more desperate that Mimete will become.”

Kirito says, “And it means that we are going to need to stop her sooner or later.”

 

Leafa asks, “What should we do now?”

 

Kirito says, “I think that we should take it easy until tomorrow when we explore floor eighty. We’ve had a big day for these past few days.”

 

Hino says, “No kidding.”

 

Klein says, with a nod, “I agree, Kirito.”

 

Kirito tells Klein, “I hope that you can understand why you need make sure that your guild needs to keep this quite.”

 

Klein says, with a nod, “It is already hard enough with our little ‘Moon Princess’ over here and if this kind of information gets out, it will be a panic like the first day of this whole ordeal.”

 

Lisbeth says, holding herself, “Don’t remind me, Klein.”

 

Klein says, rubbing his head, “Sorry.”

 

Usagi tells Klein, “You didn’t mean anything by it, Klein.”

 

Kirito says, “Anyway, let’s get Sora and his friends are accommodated in Arc Sofia and we can discuss our plans.”

 

Klein asks, “But what about their…friends?”

 

Kirito says, “Well, I think that your friends, Goofy and Donald, should remain out of sight. Even though we are in a safe zone, the other players might mistake them for monsters though I seriously doubt that, but to be honest, I’m not sure how the other players will react to a humanoid…whatever, Goofy-san, is and a walking talking duck. Also, since your friend, Donald, relies on magic, he isn’t going to be any use here since Sword Art Online doesn’t have magic and without magic, I’m sorry to say that your friend is helpless Sora-san.”

 

Sora says, “Donald is going to be mad, but you do have a point.”

 

Kairi says, “Until we can get out of here, Donald will be helpless against the monsters that are part of this world and this world is more dangerous for us since these are our real bodies. If we die in here, this world will destroy us completely.”

 

Sora says, with a smile, “It isn’t like we had faced life or death situations before, Kairi! I know that we will pull through this one!”

 

Kairi says, with a smile, “I know, Sora.”

 

Mamoru says, “Anyway, we should rest up for the exploration that’s going to happen tomorrow.”

 

Mizuno says, with a nod, “Good idea.”

 

Minako asks Sora, with a sly smirk, “By the way, you and Kairi seem to be quite close. How close are you?”

 

Sora and Kairi blush at this comment and Hino says, annoyed, “Cut it out, Mina-chan!”

 

Minako responds, “You know me, Hino.”

 

Hino replies, “Don’t I know it, Mina-chan?”

 

Minako asks, annoyed, “What’s that supposed to mean?” There are quite a few giggles and laughs at Minako’s expensive while Usagi can’t help to wonder what the future will hold for them as they continue their adventures in SAO in which the situation seems to be expanding far beyond the horror that it started as over two years ago.

 

Kingdom Hearts Universe, unknown time

 

Within the home universe of Sora and Kairi, we find a humanoid mouse, King Mickey, ruler of the world of Disney castle and a Keyblade Master, Riku, Sora’s and Kairi’s friend and another as well as newest Keyblade Master, and Yen Sid, a former Keyblade Master, are assembled in Yen Sid’s tower and discussing what happened recently.

 

Riku says, “I have to go after them!”

 

Yen Sid says, “Patience, Master Riku.”

 

Mickey tells Riku, “I know that you are worried and in fact, I want to go after them myself.”

 

Riku asks, seriously, “Then why not?”

 

Yen Sid responds, “Our worlds need you just in case Xehanort attempts to take advantage of the situation and you seem to lack faith in Kairi’s new strength and Sora’s strength.”

 

Riku responds, a bit annoyed, “I always believed in Sora, Master Yen Sid. However, Kairi is untested, so, yes, I’m worried about them. And how can I not worry about both of them? They are my best friends!”

 

Yen Sid says, “Understandable, Master Riku. However, they cannot return home if there is no home for them to return to, Master Riku.”

 

Mickey tells Riku, “I know that it is hard, Riku. We have to trust in Sora, Kairi, Donald, and Goofy.”

 

Riku says, with a sigh, “Right, Mickey.” Riku thinks in his mind, “Sora, you, Kairi, Donald, and Goofy have to remain safe. We need you.”

 

December 21, 2024, Floor 80, Field

 

In the fields outside of the main city of Floor 80, Kariana, Kirito, Lisbeth, Usagi, Mamoru, Dai, Akari, Sora, and Kairi are assembled together as they look at the field in front of them in which it is a lifeless patch of rocky ground with trees without any leaves or needles on them with large stones implanted in the hard ground where there is a small hill with stone slopes that lead up to a cavern entrance.

 

Dai says, “This is the next floor.”

 

Kirito says, “We’ll have to get up that small hill which seems to contain the entrance to the next labyrinth.”

 

Lisbeth says, “Looks a bit tough.”

 

Dai says, with a smirk and plain tone, “I’ve seen tougher at Rainbow Gardens.”

 

Akari says, with a smile, “We have seen plenty of tough things.”

 

Lisbeth says, “I believe you, but I can’t believe that you and Dai have such blacksmith skills.”

 

Dai says, “We couldn’t just be ‘bounty hunters’ in Rainbow Gardens.”

 

Akari says, “I hope that our blacksmithing shop is okay without us.”

 

Dai responds, “Don’t worry. The others will take care of it for us until we get Tai and the others home.”

 

Mamoru says, “You are assuming that you are going back there.”

 

Dai says, “Yeah, bro. We don’t exactly have bodies to return to.”

 

Kirito says, “Forgive me for being skeptical that you are just ‘digital information’ now, Dai-san.”

 

Usagi says, “If you are in this virtual world, your real bodies must be still alive somewhere.”

 

Akari says, “Dai and I always hoped so, but the more that we thought about and the thing is that explosion was deadly, we can’t be so sure.”

 

Usagi tells Akari, “You can’t give up hope.” Usagi says, “To be honest, it is one of the things that kept all of us going for these long two years.”

 

Kairi says, “It must have been hard on you.”

 

Usagi nods her head and Kirito says, trying to quickly change the subject, “Anyway, we should get going.”

 

Mamoru says, looking ahead, “It looks like the monsters look like huge scorpions.”

 

Kirito says, “Then we have to be careful of poison attacks.”

 

Lisbeth says, with a smile, “Good thing we stocked up on antidote crystals.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “No kidding, Liz.”

 

Sora says, with a grin, “By the way, thanks for the help getting some stuff.”

 

Dai says, with a smirk, “No problem. You are kind of stuck with us, so, it would be a serious piss off if we didn’t help you.”

 

Akari says, with a warm smile, “He means that we are glad to help.”

 

Kirito asks Usagi, “Any change in your status, Usagi?”

 

Usagi says, “Other than addition of this Keyblade and ‘Keyblader’ skill, not really.”

 

Lisbeth says, with a smile, “I’ve got to say that bad boy is pretty awesome.”

 

Kirito says, “Well, the best way to determine its ability in the game is to see it in action.”

 

Sora says, with a grin while getting his Kingdom Key Keyblade out, “Prepare to be amazed.”

 

Kairi brings out her Destiny’s Embrace Keyblade and Akari says, “It is pretty amazing that you don’t need to use the player menus to call them out.”

 

Mamoru says, “Since the Keyblades are real-like weapons with powers of their own, we can be sure that these Keyblades are so powerful since the game hasn’t taken too much effect on them.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “I’ll say, Mamoru-kun. If it is able to influence the game like the Silver Crystal has, this Keyblade must be really powerful.”

 

Kirito says, nodding his head in agreement, “And it may prove a very useful tool in completing the game and stopping Mimete.”

 

Lisbeth tells Usagi, “Man, girl! You really have some nasty enemies!”

 

Usagi responds, drolly, “Tell me about it, Liz.” Usagi says, with a plain tone, “However, they never did something on this scale or the horror and misery that it caused.”

 

Kirito tells Usagi, “Easy, Usagi-chan. You have to control your emotions. You can’t let this get to you.”

 

Usagi says, with a smile, “I’ll try, Kirito.”

 

Lisbeth says, with a grin, “That’s the spirit, girlfriend.”

 

Dai asks, seriously, “So, what are we waiting for?”

 

Kirito says, with a plain tone, “Not a thing, Dai.” Soon enough, the group ventures forward and they easily take out the scorpion style monsters on their way to the entrance of the labyrinth area of the floor.

 

As they get to the paved slops at the bottom of the entrance, Dai says, with a sly smile, “That was easy.”

 

Kirito says, “Don’t get too overconfident, Dai.”

 

Usagi says, “Plenty a player died due to overconfidence. One too many.”

 

Sora says, with a grin, “I’m sure that he will be fine. You were all pretty awesome!”

 

Lisbeth says, with a smirk, “Well, we have been at this for over two years.”

 

Kirito says, “Anyway, we should continue on.” However, they hear a feminine scream from above them and they look to see a female player running from the entrance of the cave, down the slopes, and past them.

 

Dai asks, “What was that? Who was that?”

 

Akari says, “It looked like a player.”

 

Mamoru says, “She looked pretty scared.”

 

Dai asks, “What freaked her out?”

 

Usagi says, nervously, “I really don’t want to know that.”

 

Mamoru says, “Our only way in is there.”

 

Usagi says, nervously, “I was afraid that you would say that, Mamoru-kun.” The group ventures up in which they meet two skeleton monsters, Skeleton Pawns, in which they defeat easily and they venture inside of the cavern where they find themselves in a dark and damp underground man-made catacomb.

 

Dai says, “Somebody has been seeing too many horror flicks.”

 

Akari says, with a nod, “No kidding, Dai-kun.”

 

Usagi says, nervously, “First, skeletons and now, this. Just great.”

 

Lisbeth tells Kirito, “It is a good thing that you partnered up with me and not Asuna.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “I don’t think that she could take it.”

 

Mamoru asks, “What do you mean?”

 

Lisbeth says, with a smile, “Asuna is just like Usagi. She doesn’t take well to ghosts.”

Sora asks, “Really?”

 

Kairi asks Usagi, “Are you scared of ghosts?”

 

Usagi responds, “Scared, no. Terrified, yep!”

 

Lisbeth says, with a smile, “There were mainly astral AKA ghost like monsters on floor sixty-five and the floor above that. Asuna had to do her best to stay out of those explorations and Usagi…”

 

Usagi says, nervously, “Please don’t remind me, Liz.” The others then notice that Usagi’s legs were shaking a lot.

 

Dai asks, “Sorry to be rude and all, but you fought monsters before coming here and you are afraid of ghosts?”

 

Usagi responds, annoyed, “Youma and monsters are things that I can feel and moon dust in which they are less creepy and in fact, plenty of them are just plain ridiculous. Ghosts are scary, you can’t touch them, and they can possibly hurt and possess you to do things out of your control. They are just plain creepy! I hate ghosts!”

 

Akari says, with a smile, “Don’t worry, Usagi. You aren’t the only one in the world. There have got be millions of people all over the world afraid of ghosts.”

 

Usagi says, “Thanks for trying to cheer me up, but I don’t feel better…much.”

 

Kirito says, “Anyway, we should be careful. We don’t know what could happen here. If this is like ‘haunted cave’ or something like that, there could be dangerous traps.”

 

Kairi says, with a nod, “We had better be careful then.” The group ventures ahead, but they then find a large armored skeleton monster with a single male player, known as Noshi, facing it, but he looked exhausted and his HP was getting low.

 

Noshi says, weakly, “It’s strong…” The skeleton monster swings its sword at Noshi, but he is sent backwards as a Linear from Usagi, using her new Keyblade, hitting its sword causing it to stumble back.

 

The rest of the group arrives and Kirito asks, “Are you okay?”

 

Noshi responds, “Yeah. That was close. I’m sorry to ask, but I’m going to need to recover.”

 

Dai says, “Just get out of the way and let us do our thing.”

 

Noshi says, with a nod, “Right. Thanks.” Noshi gets out of the way as our group assemble in front of the monster, Skeleton Guarder, and prepare to fight him.

 

Dai says, with a smirk, “He doesn’t look so tough.”

 

Usagi asks, drolly, “You are kidding, right?” Soon after, the group fights the Skeleton Guarder in which Dai and Kirito use two swords to block the attacks of the large skeleton monster with Sora and Kairi hitting it in the legs causing it to stumble. Usagi then hits it with Quadruple Pain, the 4 hit Rapier Sword Skill combo that stuns its opponent in which Kirito uses Starburst Stream, the 16 hit Duel Welding Sword Skill combo, in which the monster shatters into data polygons.

 

Sora says, with a smile, “That was easy.”

 

Kirito says, “I’ve got to admit that you are right, Sora.”

 

Soon after, Noshi returns to the room and he says, “You did it!”

 

Dai says, with a smile, “Piece of cake!”

 

Kirito tells Noshi, “You know, you shouldn’t be fighting alone on these upper floors.”

 

Lisbeth says, with a grin, “Says one of the two legendary solo players, the ‘Black Swordsman’.” Kirito becomes fluster at that remark knowing that he has no counter for that.

 

Noshi says, with a whistle, “Oh, yeah! It is you! No wonder you took care of them so easily and I can see the White Valkyrie is here with you!” Noshi says, pointing to Usagi, “I recognize the White Valkyrie’s cloak anywhere!”

 

Usagi says, nervously, “Well, it is a one of a kind rare item.”

 

Noshi says, “Anyway, I wasn’t alone. My partner was with me and when that monster appeared, she screamed and ran off.”

 

Kairi says, “It must have been the girl that we saw ran away.”

 

Mamoru says, “Most likely, Kairi-san.”

 

Kirito asks, “Does she have a problem with astral-like monsters?”

 

Noshi says, “I guess so. She was handling the scorpion monsters just fine.”

 

Usagi says, nervously, “Well, I know how she feels.”

 

Noshi says, “Anyway, I’m fine and I’m going to head back to town.”

 

Kirito says, “Good idea.” Noshi then takes off to return back to town to recover and replenish his supplies.

 

Mamoru says, “Most likely, these are the kind of monsters that we are going to face.”

 

Lisbeth says, with a smile, “It is a good thing that Asuna isn’t here after all.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “I hate to say it, but you are right, Liz. Asuna would be hard pressed to handle this floor.”

 

Usagi asks, annoyed, “And why did you pick me to be here?”

 

Lisbeth says, with a smirk, “Well, we need someone as good as our ‘Black Swordsman’ in case he does something a bit ‘crazy’.” Kirito then glares at Lisbeth for that remark and Lisbeth says, with a smile, “Just joking! Just joking!” The group continues on into the dungeon, fighting armored skeleton monsters along the way, and they find themselves in front of a locked door.

 

Akari says, “It’s locked.”

 

Kirito says, “We need to find a key to open it.”

 

Dai asks, “Hold up! Didn’t Sora and Kairi say that the Keyblade can open any door as long as there is a ‘door’ to open?”

 

Usagi says, “Well, yeah.”

 

Mamoru asks, “Why not give it a try?”

 

Lisbeth says, with a smile, “It wouldn’t hurt, Usagi.”

 

Usagi says, taking out her Keyblade, “Okay.” Usagi points her Keyblade at the door, a beam of light comes from the Keyblade, hits the center of the door, and the door opens immediately.

 

Lisbeth says, excitedly, “It worked!”

Kirito says, amazed, “Incredible.”

 

Sora says, with a grin, “Told ya!”

 

Dai says, excitedly, “Awesome!”

 

Kirito says, with a smile, “I think that we just found a way to getting to the top a bit easier.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “You said it Kirito.” The group continues on, battling more monsters, and when they get to another locked door, Kairi uses her Keyblade to open the door in which they go through. However, at one point, they find papers on the ground.

 

Mamoru asks, “What are these?”

 

When Kirito looks at the papers, he says, “The papers say that the ‘Corpse Capital that was born at the very deep’. Corpse Capital? Could it be referring to the monsters in this dungeon? And it was being ‘born’. It might mean that it was created.”

 

Dai says, “Sounds like a reference to a haunted house in a horror flick.”

 

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

 

Kirito says, “Anyway, this makes me worried what’s coming up next. We need to remain on guard.”

 

Mamoru says, with a nod, “Good point, Kirito.” They continue on battling with astral and slime monsters in which they find a book that Kirito picks up and reads.

 

Usagi asks, “What does it say Kirito?”

 

Kirito responds, “Brave and reckless people might become its food.”

 

Akari asks, a bit nervously, “It’s food?”

 

Kairi says, “I don’t like the sound of that.”

 

Kirito says, “I know, Kairi-san. I think that the ‘brave and reckless people’ are us, the players, and the rest…It is exactly what it says.”

 

Usagi says, drolly, “Just great.” The group continues onwards where they confront more monsters, mainly slime type monsters, until they find another book.

 

Dai says, “Another one.”

 

Kirito reads it and he says, “It reads: Those who are foolish in confronting the decaying king dragon may become residence of the Corpse Capital.”

 

Usagi says, sarcastically, “That sounds pleasant.”

 

Kairi asks, “What is this about a ‘decaying king dragon’?”

 

Kirito says, “Most likely, a zombie dragon type monster. It might be a dungeon boss.”

 

Lisbeth asks, “What should we do Kirito?”

 

Kirito says, “I believe that we have to face it.”

 

Usagi says, drolly, “I was afraid that you would say that.”

 

Dai says, “Something tells me that we won’t be able to advance until that dragon is nothing, but bones.”

 

Mamoru says, “That’s probably a good point.” Usagi sighs as the group continued on until they see an open room where they see a huge zombie dragon.

 

Akari asks, “Is that it?”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “I think so, Akari. That monster must be the ‘Decayed King Dragon’.”

 

Usagi says, with a sigh, “Here we go.” Mamoru puts his one of his hands on one of Usagi’s shoulders and when she looks at him, Mamoru smiles at her and she smiles back in which the group enters the room in which the door seals shut behind them.

 

Sora says, “The door!”

 

Kirito says, “A trap. We can’t get out until we defeat this monster.”

 

The monster, Dragon Zombie, gives a nightmarish roar and Akari says, “Here it comes!” The group prepares its weapon and the Dragon Zombie attacks, but the group manages to surround it in which they unleash nearly simultaneous Sword Skills and strikes in which they defeat it nearly instantly.

 

After the monster shatters into data polygons, Dai says, “That was anti-climactic.”

 

Sora says, with a smile, “Probably because we are so strong.”

 

Mamoru says, “Don’t get too confident, Sora. Remember, death in this world is true death…More for you and Kairi than the rest of us.”

 

Kairi tells Sora, “Mamoru is right, Sora. Please don’t do anything too reckless.”

 

Sora says, with a grin, “Don’t worry, Kairi. I’ll be just fine.” The group ventures into a cave where they find another book and Kirito picks it up to read it.

 

Usagi asks, “What does it say this time?”

 

Kirito responds, “The sage that created the decaying king dragon has become the sacrifice, becoming a corpse, and spending the eternal time…”

 

Akari asks, “What does that mean?”

 

Mamoru says, “It sounds similar to what we found before. I think that it is the backstory for the monster that we just fought that the game made.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Yeah, most likely. The story about the person that created that monster was the first one eaten by that monster.”

 

Usagi says, with a winch, “Gross!”

 

Kirito says, “Well, remember Usagi that this is the backstory for that monster that was created by the game.”

 

Kairi says, “Anyway, let’s forget about ghouls for the time being.”

 

Usagi says, “Sorry to be insulting, but easy for you to say, Kairi-san.” The group continues through the caverns and fighting more monsters, mainly slimes, they venture out of the cavern where they find themselves outside where they see more astral monsters, mainly dressed in ‘Grim Reaper’ style, including one giving off a sinister glow and enemy scan of Kirito and Usagi refer to it as Darkness and it is level 100 monster with multiple health bars through not as much as a boss monster.

 

Dai says, “Nasty look creep.”

 

Akari says, with a nod, “You said it, Dai-kun.”

 

Kirito says, “It must be a field boss.”

 

Usagi says, nervously, “A creepy field boss.”

 

Sora says, “Well, something tells me that we are going to need to defeat it.”

 

Kirito says, nodding his head, “It might give us critical information on the floor boss.”

 

Usagi says, drolly, “I was afraid that you might say that.” Usagi draws her sword, Lunar Excelsior, and prepares to battle with it and her Keyblade as the group takes defensive positions in which Kirito uses his knife throwing ability to hit the monster, giving only one health point of damage, and attracting his attention, as the astral monster, Darkness, goes over to them and attacks with its scythe in which Akari blocks with her shield.

 

Kirito says, “Here we go everyone!”

 

Usagi says, with a serious tone, “I’ll start off! Shine Circular!” Usagi then slams Darkness with a 15 hit Duel Welding Sword Skill combo that also inflicts a blind effect on the monster.

 

Lisbeth says, “Nice, Usagi! Strike Heart!”

 

As Lisbeth starts off with a 3 hit Mace Sword Skill combo, Kirito shouts out at the same time, “I’ll help too, Liz! Depth Impact!” Kirito then aids Lisbeth with a 5 hit Duel Welding Sword Skill combo that weakens the monster in which the double attack slams the monster hard with a lot of damage.

 

Kairi says, amazed, “Wow! Nice work!”

Sora says, with a grin, “Yeah! Our turn!” Working together, Sora and Kairi slash the monster at the same time and it was all that was needed causing it to shatter into data polygons.

 

Dai says, excitedly, “Awesome!”

 

Mamoru says, “Don’t get too confident, Dai. We may have defeated this sub-boss, but the field boss will be another story.”

 

Usagi asks Kirito, “Kirito?”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “We got it, Usagi.”

 

Lisbeth says, “That’s good.”

 

Everyone looks at the dungeon area and Dai says, “Next stop, the dungeon area.”

 

Kairi asks, “What are those like?”

 

Dai responds, “The same old classic things that you would find in game dungeons: An overgrown maze and a lot of monsters that you have to battle.”

 

Akari giggles at this and Kirito says, “A crude way of saying it, but you has a point.”

 

Mamoru says, “Anyway, we have to be careful in the main dungeon of the floor.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Right, Mamoru-kun.” The group then ventures into the main dungeon where they find themselves battle huge plant monsters that are like ones that Silica, Kirito, and Usagi fought on Floor 47 and they easily venture on until at one point they reach a stairway to the next part of the dungeon.

 

Kirito looks over the items and he asks, “Huh? What’s this?”

Usagi asks, “What’s up, Kirito?”

 

Kirito says, “It looks like I got a rare item. It’s a diamond.”

 

There are looks of surprise and Dai says, with a whistle, “Wow! That’s a rarity in any world!”

 

Kirito says, “This is perfect. Yui wanted me to get her a shiny stone.”

 

Lisbeth tells Kirito, “Are you sure? If you sell that, you could get a lot of money. Do you want to sell it to her? Maybe you could give her a cheaper gemstone.”

 

Kirito says, “I could, but Yui has been trying her best for us. She rarely asks for anything. I think that she deserves this.”

 

Lisbeth says, “If you say so, Kirito. I’m okay with that. Yui is so lucky to have someone like you.”

 

Akari says, with a smile, “I think that Kirito is great dad.”

 

Kirito gives a blush and he says, clearing his throat, “Anyway, I’ll keep the diamond and give it to Yui. Anyway, we should get back to work.” The group nods their heads in agreement and they venture to the next floor where their main enemies are astral and slime type monsters through at one point, they fight another Dragon Zombie monster and defeat it. Soon enough, the venture into a familiar long hallway.

 

Akari says, “This looks familiar.”

 

Usagi says, “Yeah, it is the same. A different ‘feeling’ than the rest of the floor itself.”

 

Lisbeth asks, “So, the room containing the floor boss is here?”

 

Kirito says, nodding his head, “Most likely, Liz, let’s move on ahead.” The group moves onto until they reached a familiar set of doors.

 

Kairi asks, “What’s this?”

 

Dai says, “The entrance to the boss’ chamber, Kairi-san.”

 

Kirito says, “When we defeat this boss, we can venture onto the next floor.”

 

Mamoru says, “We had better set the destination for the crystal to transport us here when we assemble the raiding party.”

 

Dai says, with a plain tone, “I’ve already got one ready to go.”

 

Akari says, “I’ll help, Dai-kun.”

 

As Akari and Dai set up the Corridor Crystal for later on, Sora asks, “How tough are these guys?”

 

Kirito responds, “They are really tough, Sora-san. They are too powerful for even Usagi and I to take on alone or even together and we are two of the strongest players in the game.”

 

Usagi says, “We need huge amount of the top players to defeat these floor bosses and even then…Many times than not, we lost people.” Usagi can’t help to remember all of the boss fights in which at least one player lost their lives in the battle.

 

Dai says, with a grin, “Well, you got us now!”

 

Sora says, with a smirk, “Same here!”

 

Kirito says, “I hate to say this, but I believe that we are going to need you and that’s no insult to you, Sora-san.” Kirito says, with a plain tone, “With Mimete and all that she has done and what has happened, we are going to need more allies than ever before and that’s a fact.”

 

Mamoru says, nodding his head in agreement, “I agree, Kirito.”

 

Lisbeth says, “No kidding. This has gone way beyond what the game has been and it has already been a long nightmare.”

 

Dai says, “I hate to be a major downer, but with what has happening, this nightmare for the SAO players could turn into a war zone for the entire world if that nutjob sorceress gets her way.”

 

Usagi says, drolly, “Don’t remind me, Dai.”

 

Mamoru says, “Well, when we beat the game, as long as Mimete remains bound to SAO, when the game is gone, she will be removed with it.”

 

Kirito says, “However, there is a possibility that we may have to take her down before then, Mamoru. But for now, let’s get back to Arc Sofia and plan for the next boss fight.” The others nod their heads in agreement as they prepare to use teleport crystal to return to Arc Sofia and plan for the attack on the boss of Floor 80.

 

December 21, 2024, Floor 76, Arc Sofia

 

Returning Arc Sofia, Mamoru, Kirito, Asuna, Lisbeth, Silica, Leafa, Sinon, and the Sailor Scouts are assembled together and they are discussing what happened when they explored Floor 80 and the information on the boss monster of said floor.

 

Asuna says, slightly shivering, “To be honest, I’m glad that I wasn’t there.”

 

Lisbeth says, with a grin, “Yeah, Asuna. You would be shaking in your boots.”

 

Asuna asks Usagi, “Are you okay, Usagi?”

 

Usagi says, “Fine as I will ever be, Asuna. You would think that after this situation that I would over ghosts by now, but they still freak me out.”

 

Asuna nods her head and Makoto says, with a smile, “Well, you do have a point. These game ‘ghost monsters’, you can pound into the dirt, but ghosts back in the real world are usually things that you can’t fight.”

 

Hino says, “Not unless you are a spiritualist of some sort, Mako-chan.”

 

Silica asks Usagi, with a curious tone, “Was it scary, Usagi?”

 

Usagi says, with a smile, “A bit Silica.”

 

Asuna says, “Anyway, it is good news to know that the Keyblade can break through locked doors in the game.”

 

Sinon says, “And it might be possible that the Keyblade can unlock sealed gateways since those gateways like a ‘locked door’.”

 

Mamoru says, with a nod, “That’s a good point, Sinon.”

 

Kirito says, nodding his head in agreement, “I agree, Mamoru. We are going to need to test that out. However, it looks like the Keyblade might help us get up to floor one hundred a bit faster since the Keyblade can open up sealed passageways.”

 

Setsuna says, “As it is said, the Keyblade can open any gateway even if I sealed the Time Gates tight, the Keyblade can easily open them.”

 

Hino says, “And something tells me that we are going to need the Keyblade more than ever before.”

 

Makoto says, nodding her head, “That’s for sure.”

 

Haruka asks, “So, what’s the boss this time?”

 

Kirito replies, “Based on the information that we could gather, the boss is known as ‘The Guilty Scythe’ in which is most likely a powerful astral monster.”

 

Usagi asks, sarcastically, “Why aren’t I surprised by this?”

 

Michiru says, “Most likely, it uses scythe attacks.”

 

Kirito responds, with a nod, “Yes. It also uses attacks that can blind a player.”

 

Tomoe asks, “Is there any weakness?”

 

Kirito says, “Based on the information, it is weak against blunt style attacks.”

 

Haruka says, “That means that we are going to need mace users.”

 

Asuna asks Lisbeth, “Can you help us out Liz?”

 

Lisbeth says, with a grin, “No problem, Asuna! I’ll go with Kirito to keep him company since you are going to be remaining here.”

 

Asuna yells out, with a blush, “What’s that supposed to mean?”

 

Lisbeth says, with a smile, “Just kidding! Just kidding!”

 

Michiru says, with a giggle, “I can see why you compared Lisbeth to Minako and Hino. She is a combination of both of them.”

 

Minako and Hino yell out in unison, “No way I’m like that!” Minako and Hino glare at each other and quite a few of the others giggle at this.

 

Kirito asks Usagi, “Are your days with your friends always like this?”

 

Usagi responds, a bit nervously, “More or less Kirito.” Usagi thinks in her mind, with a smile, “But it feels really good to start talking with them and being with them like this, however, I can’t wait for the day that I can do it back in the real world.” As the group discusses their plans for the boss raiding party, Usagi knows that this is just the ‘calm before the storm’ when she and the others join the raiding party to attack the boss monster of Floor 80.

 

December 21, 2024, Japan, Unknown facility

 

Somewhere within Japan, there is an unknown facility where none other than Yusei Fudo is looking through a large glass screen into another room which is a sterile medical room with two high-tech bed-like devices that have two people in which they are connected to Medicuboids much like the one that Yusei saw earlier.

 

Luke comes over and Yusei says, “Incredible. I never thought that such technology was possible.”

 

Luke says, with a smile, “That’s what you get for having super-smart Digimon on your side, Yusei-san.”

 

Yusei says, “This technology can revolutionize medicine especially combining it with the Medicuboid.”

 

Luke tells Yusei, “Then you can understand why were attacked.”

 

Yusei says, with a solemn nod, “Yes, I can see that there are people that would love to abuse this technology.”

 

Luke says, “Those two nearly died protecting us and they are fellow Digidestined. We had to help them.”

 

Yusei says, with a nod, “And you did. They would have died for those wounds, but you saved them and now, their bodies have been completely restored.”

 

Luke says, “The problem is their minds.”

 

Yusei says, with a smile, “Actually, it isn’t a problem anymore.”

 

Luke asks, “What do you mean?”

 

Yusei responds, “I did it.”

 

Luke asks, shocked, “You found them?”

 

Yusei says, nodding his head, “I did and in fact, I found something else. I found our way in to Sword Art Online.” Luke’s eyes widen at Yusei’s remark and Yusei gives a confident smile.

 

Luke asks, “What do need for me to do?” Yusei nods his head in understand and starts to explain his plan to Luke.

 

December 22, 2024, Floor 80, Dungeon

 

In front of the boss chambers in the dungeon area of Floor 80, Asuna is standing in front of a large group of players including Usagi, Mamoru, the Sailor Scouts, Dai, Akari, the Digital Knights, Kirito, and Lisbeth.

 

Asuna says, “Everyone, as you may already know, I just have one thing to say to you: Let’s win and come back alive.” The others players nod their heads in agreement and the door to the boss’ chamber opens up in which the group enters inside. Once they are inside, they see the boss, The Guilty Scythe, a huge and sinister Grim Reaper type monster in front of them.

 

Usagi says, nervously, “Thought so.” Usagi brings out her Keyblade and draws Lunar Excelsior as she goes into the fight with the others. Immediately, the fights starts off with The Guilty Scythe using its scythe weapon in a swinging motion, but the shield bearers, including Akari, block it with their shields while allowing the mace users to strike powerful blunt blows with their Sword Skills and basic attacks causing more damage the other weapon users in the group.

 

Lisbeth shouts out, “Mjoinir Hammer!” Lisbeth then strikes hit with a powerful 4 hit Mace Sword Skill, but the monster immediately turns its attention to Lisbeth and prepares to strike.

 

Kirito yells out, “Lisbeth! Switch!”

 

Lisbeth responds, “Okay!” Lisbeth leaps out of the way while Kirito leaps forwards and blocks the strike with Cross Block Duel Welding Sword Skill defensive ‘ability’.

 

Dai says, “Meteor Breaker!” Dai then uses a 3 hit One-Handed Sword Skill combo, but unlike most One-Handed Sword Skill combos, this one was a blunt style attack not a slash causing as much damage as mace users own blunt attacks. Dai then uses his ‘skill connect’ to perform a Horizontal Square, a 4 hit One-Handed Sword Skill combo, and then a Vertical Square, another 4 hit One-Handed Sword Skill, which starts to throw the boss monster off-balance.

 

Yamato says, “The monster is off-balance!”

 

Junpier says, “Cover me!” Yamato nods his head as he uses his lance and shield to cover his in-game wife as Junpier uses her mace attacks in which she shouts out, “Variable Blow!” Junpier then strikes with a powerful 8 hit Mace Sword Skill combo and hits the boss monster, hard.

 

Taichi shouts out, “Great job! Switch!” Junpier gets out of the way when she can and Taichi hits hard with a Higoi, a 3 hit Katana Sword Skill combo consisting of an upward strike, a downward strike, and then a thrusting strike. Guilty Scythe turns to face the back of some players including Takashi, but he performs a Back Rush, a 1 hit Two-Handed Sword Skill combo that allows him to spin around and strike hard.

 

Minako says, “Nice, Takashi! My turn! Shadow Stitch!” Minako then performs a 3 hit Dagger Sword Skill that’s a blunt style attack and hits hard.

 

Michiru says, with a smile, “Nice work, Mina-chan. You used a blunt style attack using daggers.”

 

Minako says, with a grin, “I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve.”

 

Usagi says, “Girls, you can pat yourselves on the back when you are done.” Usagi then rolls out of the way of a scythe swipe and hits back with a Double Circular, a 2 hit Duel Welding Sword Skill combo.

 

Makoto says, with a whistle, “She still amazes on how well she is doing this.”

 

Haruka says, “Focus, Mako-chan.”

 

Mamoru says, “She’s right. We need to focus on the enemy at hand.” They continue to fight Guilty Scythe with intense fierceness and they are doing well until the boss monster unleashed a powerful sweeping attack known as Darkness, which not only damaged the players, but left a significant amount of them suffering from paralyzing effect including Lisbeth, Junpier, Akari, and even Usagi herself.

 

Kirito and Asuna yell out in unison, “Liz! Usagi!” Asuna helps Lisbeth while Mamoru and Kirito protect Usagi.

 

Asuna asks Lisbeth, “Are you okay?”

 

Lisbeth says, with a winch, “Yeah…Once my body stops acting like lead.”

 

Yamato asks Junpier, “Are you okay?”

 

Junpier responds, “Sweetie… Can’t move…”

 

Asuna yells out, “Protect the paralyzed players! Hurry!” The remaining players that weren’t hit with the paralyzing effect immediately get to work to protect the paralyzed players or distract the boss monster from them. However, it looks like Akari is going to get hit hard when the boss monster turns its attention towards her and she can’t move to defend herself.

 

Taichi sees this and he shouts out, “Akari!” But before anyone could say or do anything, Guilty Scythe swings its blade towards Akari, but Dai steps in and tries to block, however, the tip of the scythe impales Dai in the left shoulder.

 

Akari yells out, shocked, “Dai-kun!”

 

Dai responds, with a grunt, “Don’t worry, I’ve got this guy!”

 

Kirito, seeing Dai’s health gauge drop significantly and continue to drop at a significant pace, yells out, “Get out of there!”

 

Takashi yells out, “Davis!”

 

Junpier shouts out, worriedly and in a panic voice, “Get out!”

 

Dai roars out, strongly, “Don’t worry! I’ve got this! I won’t let this beat me! I won’t be beaten by a piece of mindless data! And I refuse to allow this stupid game to take any more lives! Not now! Not ever! No way!” As Dai says those words, his swords start to glow and when they glow and are engulfed in a bright light, Dai roars as he throws back the boss monster, removing the tip from his shoulder, and in five high speed slash, destroys the scythe of the boss monster which explodes into dozens of data polygons, much to the surprise of the others.

 

Asuna says, in disbelief, “I can’t believe it!”

 

Miyako shouts out, stunned, “No way!”

 

Dai yells out, in a determined voice while his swords are still glowing, “You’re done, you ass! Starburst Light Stream!” And in a blaze of slash attacks that seem to go at light speed, Guilty Scythe screeches out as it is hit with 30 strikes before he explodes, literally, into hundreds of data polygons while the other players look in shock and disbelief at what just happed while Dai remains tall, but he isn’t holding two swords anymore: He is holding an Oathkeeper Keyblade and an Oblivion Keyblade in his two hands!

 

As the large ‘Congratulations’ sign appears above all of the players, Yamato says, stunned, “Whoa!”

 

Hino asks, shocked, “He… He has a Keyblade?!”

 

Makoto says, “I think that he is two of them.”

 

Junpier says, “I can’t believe my eyes.”

 

Sam says, with a smile, “I can. This is Davis that we are talking about.”

 

Takashi responds, with a grin, “No kidding.”

 

Taichi says, with a nod, “You got that right.”

 

Dai asks Akari, “Are you okay, Kari-chan?”

 

Akari, who is back on her feet since the paralyzing effect on her is done, responds, “I should be asking you the same question!”

Dai says, with a grin, “Never better!” Dai says, looking at his new Keyblade, “And by the looks of it, I’ve got some awesome new blades.”

 

Akari says, “Looks like it.”

 

With the others, Kirito says, with a sigh, “I’m not sure if this won’t cause any problems in the future.”

 

Asuna says, with a nod, “I agree, Kirito-kun. The other players are going to be asking questions about this one.”

 

Lisbeth says, also recovered from the paralyzing effect, “You got that right, Asuna.”

 

Kirito says, “Well, at least no players died in this battle too.”

 

Asuna says, nodding her head, “That’s a good sign.”

 

Kirito responds, “It is, Asuna. However, we can’t lower our guard or something horrible will happen especially in our situation.” Asuna nods her head in agreement and the players immediately get their bearings back as they prepare to head to the next floor to activate the teleport gate in town to prepare for the exploration and ‘conquest’ of Floor 81, the next step in getting to the top of Aincard.

 

December 22, 2024, Floor 81

 

On the next floor, the group find themselves what looks like a rocky wasteland where there is a sinister looking castle fused with the area containing the dungeon of the floor where the boss monster of this floor of Aincard lies. In the center of this rocky wasteland, there is a small town in which the group finds the teleport gate in the center of the town where Lisbeth joins up with Usagi, Mamoru, the Sailor Scouts, Dai, Akari, the Digital Knights, Kirito, and Asuna.

 

Lisbeth says, “I’m done with the activation.”

 

Kirito says, “Good job, Liz.”

 

Asuna says, with a nod, “Now, we can easily come to this floor and start exploring it.”

 

Usagi says, “Something about this floor doesn’t give me a good feeling.”

 

Mamoru says, “I know. I’m having a feeling too.”

 

Kirito says, “Same here, Mamoru.”

 

Asuna asks, “What do you mean Kirito?”

 

Kirito responds, “I don’t know, Asuna. This floor feels ‘off’ compared to the other floors of Aincard.”

 

Lisbeth asks, with a sly smirk, “Compared to the various mountains, deserts, spooky haunted houses…”

 

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

 

Asuna asks, also nervously, “Really, Liz?”

 

Lisbeth gives a sly smirk and Kirito says, “Point taken, Liz.”

 

Taichi says, “Anyway, let’s get back to Arc Sofia. We have a lot to talk about.”

 

Miyako says, pointing to Dai’s new Keyblades, “Especially those things.”

 

Makoto says, with a sigh, “Oh, boy.”

 

Hino says, sighing herself, “Something tells me that we are in for a long day and a long story.”

 

Haruka says, with a nod of her head, “Agreed.”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, “I don’t know why, but this floor feels ‘off’ from the other floors of Aincard. The various floors give off various feels, but they seem to have a medieval mixed with bits of modern from both us, Asians, and a lot of Europe in it, too, but this feels like some kind of weird post ‘end of the world’ type stuff. It is just weird. I could be imagining things, but then again, with Mimete and all, I have a bad feeling that I’m not.”

 

December 23, 2024, Floor 76, Arc Sofia

 

Returning to Agil’s inn and shop in Arc Sofia, Usagi, Mamoru, the Sailor Scouts, Dai, Akari, the Digital Knights, Kirito, Asuna, Lisbeth, Leafa, Sinon, Silica, and Klein are assembled together as they stare at Dai’s new Keyblades in which they had to explain a few ‘things’ to the Digital Knights.

 

Miyako says, looking at Usagi in disbelief, “You’re kidding me!”

 

Hino says, “You know if this keeps up, we are going to be like the super-heroes in the American comic books when their secret identities are exposed.”

 

Makoto says, “That stuff only happens in comics and cartoons.”

 

Haruka says, “Real life is stranger than fiction, Mako. Remember, virtual reality used to be stuff of science fiction and here we are in a virtual world.”

 

Makoto responds, nervously, “Good point.”

 

Taichi says, “I’ve always felt that the other survivors of the boss raid of floor seventy-five were keeping something.”

 

Klein says, “And it is a good thing that a good number of those other than us were part of this boss raiding party too. They helped convince the others to keep tight lipped about this.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Yeah. And with the ‘glitches’ that the game has been suffering, it is easy to convince them otherwise at least for now.”

 

Takashi tells Minako, “I can’t believe that you are her, Mina!”

 

Minako responds, with a smile, “Well, a girl has got to have her secrets, Takashi.”

 

Asuna says, “We’re sorry to keep this from you, but you can see why we had to keep this secret about Usagi-chan and her friends from everyone.”

 

Yamato says, “I can see why. Players would have mixed feelings knowing that the ‘White Valkyrie’ is also a famous super-heroine of our home nation.”

 

Miyako asks, “Why is that? Shouldn’t it inspire them more?”

 

Takashi responds, “It will most likely could, but her few ‘detractors’ could use this against her in which they could say something like: Since she is Sailor Moon, why didn’t she save more lives or use her powers to end this game?”

 

Miyako says, nervously, “Oh, yeah. Good point.”

 

Junpier says, “She is a super-heroine, not a deity.”

 

Taichi says, “It’s human nature for you.”

 

Yamato says, “No insult to her, but it shows that Sailor Moon is just like us.”

 

Usagi says, with a weak smile, “No insult taken Yamato-san.” Usagi says, with a sigh, “I just keep wishing that I didn’t have to find out the hard way.”

 

Miyako says, “Hey, girl! We kind of know how you feel. As Digidestined, I think that we are kind of used to things going our way in the end and everything turning out all right in the end.”

 

Junpier says, with a solemn smile, “We made a few friends in SAO…and their names have been crossed out on the Monument of Life at Blackiron Palace a good time ago.”

 

Yamato gently hugs his in-game wife, Junpier nuzzles against him, and Taichi says, “We, all, felt this way at first. We have been through life and death during our ventures in the Digital World and everything would turn out all right. You think that the deaths of Leomon and the other Digimon that died would have taught us differently, but I guess when we learned that the Digimon would be reborn that we remained in the emotion that while we fought in life and death situations, everything and everyone would turn out all right in the end. SAO made us think differently.”

 

Sam says, “Izzy and I had studied the NervGear and on the day that this nightmare started, I knew…I knew what Kayaba said was exactly true and the others knew too.”

 

Yamato says, with a nod, “We die here, we die in real life. After the mass panic started, all of us came together and we knew how MMO worked in which we knew that we had to move in order to survive and that we also had to stick together. We left town as soon as we could and headed off. To be honest, back then, we had hoped that Izzy or someone else could figure out how to break the hold that the NervGear had on us, but Sam knew differently. He and Izzy knew that Kayaba was that rare one in a million genius and not even our friend, Izzy, could figure out the NervGear without a HUGE amount of research and even then, knowing Kayaba, his work wouldn’t leave a ‘flaw’ for Izzy to exploit. We knew that we were in for the long term.”

 

Takashi says, “In our adventures as Digidestined, we never felt as powerless as we did here. All we could do is help who we can and do our best to survive.”

 

Kirito says, “And you did great on that Taichi. You and your group are one of the assault team and one of the strongest guilds here.”

 

Miyako says, with a nod, “Thank you, Kirito.”

 

Sam says, “However, it looks like our battle to the top of Aincard is more urgent than ever based on what you told us.”

 

Yamato says, “And we can see why you didn’t say anything to the others. For one thing, even in this place, it sounds unbelievable and if they do believe us, it could cause mass panic because if the real world is threatened, they could be worried about the people that the other players left behind and it could cause them to get sloppy.”

 

Taichi says, “And that here means death.”

 

Mamoru says, “Anyway, we need to focus on what we have to do next.” Just then footsteps come towards and everyone looks to see Sora and Kairi come together.

 

Kairi asks, “What’s going on?”

Sora asks, seeing Davis’ Keyblade, “Whoa! When did this happen?”

 

Tomoe says, “It’s a long story, Sora-san.”

 

Hino thinks in her mind, “One that will keep us talking for quite a while.” As the group tells about what happened in the latest boss raid to Sora and Kairi, Usagi, Kirito, and plenty of the others feel that their battle to the top of Aincard may be also a race against time for the sake and the future of the world and much more.

 

And that’s the end of the chapter! Like I said, I wanted this story to mainly be based on my own Sailor Moon Online fanfiction, which has been quite successful, and the video game, Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment, but I also wanted to ‘stand out’ a bit more and I think that I succeeded in that regard. Anyway, I hope that make this story enjoyable with as many people as possible, but I know that I can’t please you all. However, no flamers allowed! Now, please read and review and later and best wishes, Crossover Fans!