Crossover Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Sailor Moon Online: Hollow Fragment ❯ Rushing Up to Trouble ( Chapter 22 )

Anyway, the Hollow Area part of the story may mainly be over, but the story as a whole is far from done, everyone! I’m not going to just take everyone to the final floor and the final battle since there is plenty of ‘plot development’ to come and I think that you can see in the last chapter, folks. Now, I know that there are plenty of you screaming about them not using their powers to blast through the floors to the top. Well, you have the remember that SAO is somewhat ‘unstable’ at this time and what Mimete did in my fanfiction wasn’t going to help, so, the Sailor Scouts aren’t going to use their power out of the fear of causing a collapse and the same with Usagi not using her GM abilities as it was mentioned in the early chapters. Now, let’s rock and roll!

 

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, Rave Master, Code Lyoko, Transformers, 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 22: Rushing Up to Trouble

 

January 7, 2025, Floor 76, Arc Sofia

 

Within Agil’s inn/shop in Arc Sofia, Kirito, Asuna, Leafa, Silica, Lisbeth, Philia, Sinon, Mamoru, the Sailor Scouts, Dai, Akari, and the Digital Knights are assembled together in which Kirito, Usagi, and Sinon explain about what happened when they went to get skill upgrade for Sinon’s Shooting Skill.

 

When they are done, Silica says, amazed, “That’s amazing.”

 

Lisbeth says, “It seems a lot of surprising are happening lately.”

 

Tomoe asks Setsuna, “Setsuna, do you know about Sailor Orion?”

 

Setsuna responds, with a nod, “I do. Sailor Orion was an elite Sailor Scout and she would be considered like the elite sniper teams that the military has today in which long range sniping and weaponry was her forte.”

 

Haruka asks, “So, she was a one woman sniper team?”

 

Setsuna replies, with a nod, “Her nickname was ‘hawk eye’ and that must tell you something. She is also an expert on what modern military terms as ‘black ops’.”

 

Kirito says, looking at Sinon, “A ‘Special Forces’ Sailor Scout.”

 

Setsuna says, with a nod, “That’s right, Kirito. However, she was affiliated with the Sun Kingdom, not the Moon Kingdom, unlike Sailor Nebula for example.”

 

Hino asks, “So, she worked with the Solaris royal family and Kari since she was chosen to be the Sailor Soldier of the Sun Kingdom, right?”

 

Setsuna says, “She is the guardian of the Solaris royal family and she worked with Sailor Sun, but as I said, she was an elite Sailor Scout that would be considered similar to Special Forces in the modern day militaries of today.”

 

Dai says, “Man, this is wacky. First, Kari. And now, Sinon is a Sailor Scout. It makes me wonder how many of you that there are.”

 

Hino says, looking at Setsuna with a serious tone, “That’s actually a good question.”

Setsuna responds, “To answer what you are implying, there were many Sailor Scouts in the Solar System other than us and like you, they were reborn into this time. However, it was hoped that they would never have to be reawakened so they could enjoy a peaceful existence, but if it necessary, they would be reawakened when they are needed in which while Scouts like Orion and Sun are under their own ‘independent command’, I know that they would work with us since all of us, Sailor Scouts, have a common goal and duty to the people of the universe.”

 

Taichi says, “Yeah. I’m still getting used to that fact that my sister is a Sailor Scout and even after we get out of here, she will still be fighting for her life.”

 

Sam asks Taichi, “Well, I’m sorry if this is insulting or anything, but isn’t what the Sailor Scouts do is like what we did and still do as Digidestined with our Digimon partners to protect both worlds?”

 

Taichi glares at Sam for a moment and he then gives a sigh in which he says, “I don’t see how you can give credit to the Dark Spore for your smarts since you seem pretty smart on your own.”

 

There are plenty of smirks for that and Akari tells Taichi, “Tai, I know that you are worried about me, but I have been surviving in a virtual world for a long time now with Dai-kun and like we have said before, Rainbow Gardens might sound sweet, but it can be even harsher than around here.”

 

Dai says, with a nod, “No joke. We also had plenty of time in Leafa’s VRMMO, ALO, since we were able to get access to that world from Rainbow Gardens.”

 

Kirito says, “It isn’t too surprising since I knew that a month in the Hollow Area wasn’t responsible for your amazing skills and abilities. It helped, but it isn’t the source of your ‘strength’ here.”

 

Usagi tells Sinon, “Anyway, Sinon, you have to not use your Sailor Scout powers unless it is a real emergency. Our powers are not tied to our real bodies, but to our star seeds, which basically means our souls, and that’s the most likely reason that we have our powers here.”

 

Mizuno says, “And we aren’t sure what our powers could do to the game in its current condition.”

 

Sinon says, with a nod of understanding and plain tone, “I understand.”

 

Minako says, with a smile, “Well, I think that it is cool that we have another Sailor Scout here and she is one ‘cool customer’.”

 

Hino asks, annoyed, “Really, Mina?”

 

Asuna tells Sinon, “Anyway, you had quite an experience, Sinon. I think that you need to take a break.”

 

Sinon responds, “I’m just fine, Asuna.”

 

Usagi says, changing the subject, “Anyway, we should get started on our discussing about the next floor boss.”

 

Mizuno says, nodding her head, “We managed to gather all of the needed information that we could for the boss of floor eighty-six.”

 

Kirito says, “That’s good to know, Mizuno.”

 

Makoto asks, “So, what are we facing?”

 

Mizuno says, “Based on the information that was gathered, the boss of floor eighty-six is known as ‘The King of Skeletons’.”

 

Usagi says, drolly, “That sounds delightful.”

 

Lisbeth says, with a nod and the same droll tone, “No kidding, Usagi.”

 

Mamoru asks, “Do you have knowledge on what it can do?”

 

Mizuno says, “It uses Sword Skills and it has poison attacks. When its health gets low, its sword skills get much stronger.”

 

Yamato says, drolly, “That’s good to know.”

 

Mizuno says, “Well, we can seal its sword attacks by destroying the weapon, but the weapon will regenerate or the boss will get a new sword after a certain period of time.”

 

Usagi says, with a sigh, “They always do, Mizuno-chan.”

 

Tomoe asks, “What kind of attacks is the boss vulnerable to?”

 

Mizuno responds, “It is vulnerable to blunt style attacks, so, this means mainly mace style attacks.”

 

Lisbeth says, with a smirk, “That means that I’m up.”

 

Akari says, with a smile, “Same here. I’m good with mace skills and I have a secret weapon.”

 

Miyako asks, curiously, “Secret weapon?”

 

Dai tells Kirito, “Remember that special Two-Handed Sword Skill attack that I gave Sora and the one that I used for Duel Wielding, Kirito?”

 

Kirito asks, surprised, “Wait! You mean Akari has one of those special skills herself?”

 

Akari says, with a nod, “As we said, we got a lot from the Hollow Area. In fact, we can show that quest on the console in the Control Area.”

 

Kirito says, “Another time, but I would to find that quest.”

 

Lisbeth says, with a smirk, “You would Kirito.”

 

Kirito says, “So, it is like skill that Dai gave Sora via the unique ability of Sword Emperor Skill, huh? That means that it takes a few seconds to charge up.”

 

Akari says, “That’s right. And the boss isn’t going to just stand around and take a blow.”

 

Hino says, “No joke, Akari.”

 

Kirito says, “However, we may have an ace in the hole if we need it, but I think that we need to keep Akari’s ‘special Sword Skill’ as an ace in the hole and a last resort as well.”

 

Asuna says, with a nod of her head, “I agree, Kirito-kun. It is good to have options, but we need to use them effectively. For now, we will do it as we always do and plan out our attack as we always do.”

 

Usagi says, “Well, we are going to need assemble a boss raid meeting right away.”

 

Asuna says, “Already done, Usagi-chan. I have messaged my guild to inform the rest of the assault team about the finding of the boss’ chamber.”

 

Kirito says, “That’s good, Asuna. We need to talk with the rest of the assault team to plan our assault.” The group nods their heads in unison and they start to formulate their plans for the boss battle to come which they will discuss with the rest of the assault team.

 

January 8, 2025, Floor 86, Dungeon

 

Inside of the main dungeon area of Floor 86, we are inside of the boss room where we find the boss monster of that floor, The King of Skeletons, a very tall armored skeleton monster with a massive two-handed fiend sword, is fighting against a boss raid group in which Usagi, Kirito, Dai, Akari, Lisbeth, and plenty of the others are a part of.

 

Dai and Kirito use Cross Block, the Duel Wielding defensive technique to block the boss’ monster’s sword strike and Kirito yells out, “Liz! Akari!”

Akari says, “Let’s do this, Lisbeth!”

 

Lisbeth says, with a nod, “Gotcha, girlfriend!”

 

“Mjolnir Hammer!”

 

“Variable Blow!”

 

Lisbeth slams the boss monster with 4 hit Mace Sword Skill combo while Akari hits hard with a powerful 8 hit Mace Sword Skill combo dealing some damage to their opponent with our mace wielding players helping in that regard. Soon after, Dai and Kirito manage to throw back the monster’s huge fiend sword, but just barely.

 

Kirito shouts out, “Now, Usagi!”

 

Usagi responds, with a nod, “You got it!” Soon after, Usagi leaps into the air and aims straight for the sword.

 

“Variable Blow!”

 

Using her Mimic Sword Skill, Usagi uses the 8 hit Mace Sword Skill combo that Akari just used against the boss monster’s fiend sword and it shatters with the final hit of the attack.

 

Once the sword shatters, Dai looks at Usagi and he shouts out, giving off an excited tone and giving off his usual sly grin, “Way to go, girl!”

 

Kirito says, with a smile, “Excellent, Usagi!”

 

Asuna and Mizuno, who had been helping against The King of Skeleton’s attack to protect the mace users, see this and Mizuno says, “It worked! The boss monster’s sword skills are temporary sealed!”

 

Asuna says, with a nod, “Right, Mizuno-chan!” Asuna says, with a commanding tone, “This is our chance! Finish the boss off now!” Without hesitation, the players unleash an all-out attack on The King of Skeletons and soon after, the boss monster roars as it shatters into hundreds of data polygons as the words ‘Congratulations’ appears above the players causing them to cheer as they had beaten another boss monster.

 

Lisbeth says, excitedly, “We did it!”

 

Usagi says, with a smile, “We did!”

 

Mamoru says, looking around, “However, it was tough.” All of the players in the boss fight, survived, but a good amount of them are in the yellow zones with their health with a few in the red zone.

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “It was pretty close at certain points, Mamoru. However, it is good that no one died in this battle.”

 

Asuna says, nodding her head, “I agree, Kirito-kun. However, it does mean that we need to be more careful to make sure that this continues and doesn’t end like it did on floor seventy-four.”

 

Kirito says, “No kidding. However, with Thinker and Yulier reorganizing their guild, I don’t think that we will see something like that again.”

 

Usagi says, solemnly, “I hope not.”

 

Lisbeth says, with a smile, “Come on, let’s not get into that grim stuff!”

 

Kirito says, with a kind smile, “Liz is right, Usagi.”

 

Asuna says, nodding her head, “Let’s go to the next floor and activate the teleport gate.”

 

Akari says, with a nod, “Good idea, Asuna.” Soon after, the group heads off to the exit doors to get to the next floor to activate the teleport gate.

 

January 8, 2025, Floor 87, Skuljinshi

 

Inside of the main town, Lisbeth comes out of the teleport gate in front of the group of her friends/allies including Kirito, Asuna, Usagi, Mamoru, Dai, and Akari.

 

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

 

Usagi says, with a smile, “Good job, Liz.”

 

Kirito says, “Let’s return to Arc Sofia to prepare to exploration of this floor.”

 

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

 

Usagi says, “Up to floor eighty-seven now. It is just over a dozen more floors to go.”

 

Mamoru says, with a smile, “We’re one step closer to getting you and the others home.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Home…It has been too long.”

 

Dai says, nodding his head, “We hear you.”

 

Akari says, “We haven’t been home in a long time ourselves.” Akari says, with a sigh, “Not sure if we’re going to ever return to our home.”

 

Usagi says, “You can’t say that!”

 

Kirito says, “I don’t think that it is possible that you are just the ‘spirits’ of yourselves. I think that you have got ‘physical forms’ back in the real world waiting for you.”

 

Dai says, “Well, you didn’t experience the explosion that we got hit with.”

 

Usagi says, “I believe that there is hope for you and Akari, Dai. You have to have hope.” Usagi says, with a sigh, “If you don’t have hope…”

 

Kirito, Asuna, and Lisbeth get solemn at this and Asuna says, with a solemn nod, “We know, Usagi-chan.”

 

Taichi says, with a smile, “Anyway, let’s forget about this ‘negative stuff’ and get back. It has been a long day.” The others nod their heads in agreement while Leafa is looking up at the virtual sky or basically, the ceiling of this floor, and she narrows her eyes as she ‘senses’ something.

 

Asuna yells out, “Leafa-chan, is something wrong?”

 

Leafa snaps out of her stupor and she responds, with a kind smile, “No! Nothing!” Leafa goes over to join the others in which while Kirito knows that something is up with his sister, he decides to keep it to himself and glance up towards the sky/ceiling of the floor in which Usagi notices this and knows that Kirito is thinking about something deeply.

 

January 9, 2025, Floor 76, Arc Sofia

 

Returning to Arc Sofia, Usagi and Kirito were going into a shop to buy some food items when they see a female spear user player facing one of another player.

 

The female player shouts out, angrily, “Hey, what are you doing?”

 

The male player says, “Why the fuss? You won’t lose anything anyway.”

 

Usagi whispers to Kirito, “Hey, Kirito. Isn’t that guy one of the subordinates of that Alberich character from before?”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Yeah, he is.”

 

The female player says, with a threatening tone, “Stop that! Do you want to be sent to the prison area? Since teleporting is abnormal now, you might up anyway! Maybe even outside area!”

 

The male player retorts, with a cocky smile and tone, “Fine, give it a try. It is pointless for us.” When the female player tries to use Anti-Criminal Code of the safe area that prevents harassment of female players by male players, it doesn’t work, the female player gasps, and the male player asks, with a sly smirk, “See?”

 

The female player asks, shocked, “What? The Anti-Criminal Code isn’t working?!”

 

Usagi whispers, “What’s going on, Kirito?”

Kirito tells Usagi, with a serious tone, “I don’t know, but remember the restriction on your ‘special privileges’ that we talked about, Usagi?” Usagi’s eyes widen and she then gets the meaning as she ‘hides’ behind Kirito.

 

The male player says, with a lecherous smirk, “Now, I will show my strength a bit better…”

 

Kirito yells out, with a serious tone, “Hold it right there!”

 

As Kirito and Usagi, her movements hidden behind Kirito, walk over, Alberich comes over and he tells them, slyly, “Well, if it isn’t the Black Swordsman and the White Valkyrie? So, the lead group has plenty of time on their hands or do you want to show justice?”

 

Kirito says, “That’s not it. We won’t tolerate this kind of action against other players.”

 

Alberich asks, slyly, “Really…?” Alberich then says, slyly, “Anyway, keep your cool for now. I’ll show you that you are just a useless kid sooner or later.”

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, annoyed, “I do so really not like this guy at all.”

 

Kirito asks, “Is that so?” Just then Alberich and his subordinate then yelp as they collapse to the ground in a heap and they find that they can’t move at all in which the confusion is evident on their faces.

 

Alberich asks, “What? What is this?”

 

The female player asks, with a sly tone, “Who is useless you jerk?”

 

Alberich’s subordinate asks, “What’s going on? We shouldn’t suffer from paralysis in a safe zone.” Soon after, Alberich and his subordinate are ‘unfrozen’ and they get to their feet.

 

Alberich asks, with a deadly glare, “You! How did you do that?”

 

Kirito responds, plainly, “Leave now.” Alberich prepares to draw his sword and Kirito asks, with a plain tone, “Do you want to end up in high level dungeon with no escape?”

 

Alberich stops and he retorts, with a sneer, “You will pay for this insult.” Alberich and his subordinate leaves in which Usagi glares at him in which Alberich snorts and smirks back at Usagi causing her to gain a real bad feeling and a feeling of déjà vu again.

 

Usagi thinks in her mind, “Something about that guy really seems familiar, but I don’t know where. I know that I got this horrible feeling before, but when? And who gave me this feeling?” Soon after, Usagi secretly closed off her GM windows and reactivated the lock on them with a new code for good measure.

 

Kirito asks the female player, “Are you okay?’

 

The female player says, “I’m okay due to you and the White Valkyrie, Black Swordsman-san. Somehow, I know that White Valkyrie-san helped you out.”

 

Usagi says, with a smile, “It is no problem. We, girls, have got to look out for each other.”

 

The female player says, with a nod, “We, women, are in the minority and I got used to this kind of thing. But they are a bit different since the Anti-Criminal Code isn’t working for some reason.”

 

Usagi says, “That is strange…”

 

The female player says, with a sigh, “Well, the game has been acting weird since your battle with the monster that trapped us, Valkyrie-san. I can’t be too surprised about what’s happening since the skill data and the system itself acting strange. I hope to thank you and Black Swordsman-san properly next time.”

 

Kirito says, with a smile, “Anyway, it is no problem. However, keep your distance from those players and anyone associated with them. Message and inform the other members of the assault team that they are to be considered dangerous despite them not being a criminal guild.”

 

The female player responds, “You got it, Black Swordsman-san.”

 

Soon after, the female player leaves to do what Kirito has requested and when she is gone, Usagi asks, “Why didn’t the moral code work?”

 

Kirito says, “I wonder if it is the error that started during our battle with Heathcliff or it might be something else.”

 

Usagi tells Kirito, “We have to talk to the others right away.”

 

Kirito says, nodding his head in agreement, “Agreed, Usagi.” Kirito and Usagi then head off and later on, they arrive at Agil’s inn/shop where they find Sinon, Leafa, Lisbeth, Silica, Mamoru, the Sailor Scouts, and the Digidestined that are within SAO assembled together as Usagi and Kirito comes over to them.

 

Hino asks, “What’s the big emergency Meatball Head?”

 

Kirito asks Asuna, “Asuna, can I ask you a question?”

 

Asuna asks, “What’s up, Kirito-kun?”

 

Kirito asks, “Do you think that it is possible that the Anti-Criminal Code not to be working?”

 

Asuna responds, surprised and confused, “Why do you ask that Kirito? You saw that the safe area is still active despite the errors, so, it shouldn’t be possible.”

 

Mamoru asks, “Did something happen?”

 

Usagi and Kirito then explain about what happened earlier and when they are done, Lisbeth says, sternly, “First off, it was a good idea not let that guy and his group into the assault team.”

 

Silica says, sternly, “Molesters are the worst!”

 

Leafa asks, “But why was the anti-harassment code not working? Is there something wrong with the system?”

 

Haruka says, “The world is already bugged, Leafa.”

 

Kirito says, “There is also something else. Usagi insists that she is getting a feeling of déjà vu from Alberich.”

 

Dai asks, confused, “Déjà vu?”

 

Usagi responds, “A HEATHCLIFF kind of déjà vu, Dai.”

 

Asuna asks, knowing the implications, “Wait! You feel like that you know him, Usagi-chan?”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “It is much the similar feeling that I had with Heathcliff all this time before we found out the truth about him, Asuna. However, the feeling is different because unlike with Heathcliff, it is a feeling of major dread…like I know that this person that Alberich reminds me of is really bad news. And you know that I have seen plenty of ‘bad news characters’.”

 

Makoto says, nodding her head in agreement, “Don’t we know it, girl.”

 

Haruka says, “Well, based on your experience, we don’t have a point not to trust your intuition.”

 

Sam says, “However, it is little to go on. I have to agree that there is something up based on what you told us and your intuition, but we don’t have much an idea about Alberich. Also, there is no evidence that while the safe area is still in effect, it doesn’t mean that certain parts of the code including the anti-harassment code is suffering from ‘bugs’.”

 

Yui, who had come over during Usagi’s and Kirito’s explanation on what happened earlier, asks, “Why don’t we test that?”

 

Everyone looks at Yui and Usagi asks, “How?”

 

Yui responds, with a smile, “We have daddy touch someone to see if a system message comes out.”

 

Silica asks, shocked, “Huh? So, Kirito will be the molester?”

 

Kirito shouts out, nervously, “Hey, I didn’t agree to this!”

 

Yui says, with a smile, “Let’s decide on who will help daddy with the test with rock-paper-scissors.”

 

Usagi tells Yui, “Yui-chan, stop that! It isn’t nice to put your daddy in such a situation!”

 

Yui asks, “It isn’t? This is just a test. Daddy isn’t really going to cause any trouble for the others. He is helping us, right Auntie Usagi?”

 

Usagi says, with a sigh, “Yui-chan…”

 

Michiru says, with a sly smile, “She is just a little girl, hime, AI or not.”

 

Asuna says, with a sigh, “And Yui-chan has a point. We need to see if the code is working to allow us to gain more understanding on what’s happening. We can’t ask others to do, so, you can try it on me.”

 

Usagi asks Asuna, a bit nervously, “Not to get you angry Asuna, but since you are husband and wife, would it even work? On the day that Kirito proposed to you, didn’t you use the moral code removal?”

 

Asuna gives a groan and Lisbeth says, with a smile, “Anyway, since that’s a good point, let’s decide with the way that Yui proposed.”

 

Asuna asks, annoyed, “Hey, Liz! Do you know what this is about?”

 

Usagi responds, glaring at Lisbeth, “I think that she knows what this is about Asuna.”

 

Lisbeth replies, “What do you ever mean Usagi-chan? Sexual harassment is very important since they are few females in Aincard and this is a situation that all of us need to look into.”

 

Minako whispers, with a smirk, “I think that’s not all that Liz wants to ‘look into’.”

 

Hino whispers, in an annoyed tone, “Really, Mina-chan?”

 

Minako whispers, with a grin, “I may have found ‘my Adonis’, but it doesn’t mean that I can’t help the ‘love lives’ of others. I am the Sailor Scout of Love after all.”

 

Makoto whispers, with a smirk, “No kidding, Mina-chan.”

 

Haruka whispers, “Shall we remind you how helpful your ‘love advice’ has been?”

 

Minako gives a quiet nervous laugh and Silica says, “I’ll help out too! As one of the few female players, I have to help to learn why the anti-harassment code isn’t working.”

 

Usagi gives a look of surprise and Leafa says, nervously, “That’s right. I’m a female, too. I can’t let my fellow female players to be abused. I’ll help any way that I can.”

 

Usagi tells Leafa, “Isn’t Kirito your brother, Leafa?”

 

Leafa gives a major blush on her cheeks and Sinon says, plainly, “I guess that I have to help too.”

 

Lisbeth says, with a nod, “That’s right! Now, let’s do this and overcome it!”

 

Sinon says, “Overcome it? I think that you are getting into it yourself…”

 

Usagi says, sarcastically, “Yeah, I can’t help to wonder why…”

 

Lisbeth gives a nervous laugh and Yui says, “Now, let’s do rock-paper-scissors to decide.”

 

Usagi asks Yui, “And why does it have to be your daddy, Yui-chan?”

 

Akari says, with a sly smile, “Since other than Dai-kun, who I won’t lose as a ‘lab rat’, there are no other guys here.” Everyone then looks around to see Taichi, Yamato, Junpier, Takashi, Sam, and Miyako missing.

 

Tomoe asks, confused, “Where did they go?”

 

Haruka says, plainly, “Being smart, Firefly.”

 

Dai tells Kirito, with a smirk, “Sorry, bro.”

 

Kirito sweat drops and he asks, “Why am I always dragged into these things?”

 

Usagi says, nervously, “Sorry, Kirito. I’m not going to let my Mamoru-kun being used as a ‘lab rat’ either.”

 

Kirito says, drolly, “Thanks a lot, Usagi.” Soon after, Sinon was decided to be part of the test.

 

Sinon says, plainly, “It looks like that I’m going to be part of the test.”

 

Kirito says, nervously, “Yeah…Nice working with you…”

 

Sinon says, plainly, “Yeah…but I don’t know what we do…”

 

Yui says, “It doesn’t matter what area that daddy touches, so, touch anywhere on Sinon’s body.”

 

Makoto asks, “So, if he touches Sinon’s shoulder, it could activate?”

 

Yui says, with a nod, “It should.”

 

Sinon says, with a stern glare, “Don’t touch any weird areas.”

 

Kirito says, nervously, “I won’t!”

 

Leafa says, with a teasing tone, “Now, Yui-chan, you can’t look.”

 

Kirito shouts out, annoyed, “Hey, Sugu! I wouldn’t do anything inappropriate in front of Yui-chan!”

 

Leafa says, with a giggle, “I know, big brother.”

 

Plenty of the others giggle and Usagi tells Sinon, with a sweet, but sickly smile that’s unlike her before SAO, “Sinon, remember this is a test. If and when the screen appears, you are going to hit cancel because if you hit ‘okay’, Kirito will be get teleported away and since the teleportation is so ‘messy’, we don’t know where he will end up and if anything bad happens…”

 

Sinon gets a bit nervous, getting the implied ‘message’, and she says, with a nervous nod, “Right, I understand.”

 

The others are surprised by this and Minako says, “That’s not one of our girl’s sweet smiles.”

 

Hino responds, “No duh, Mina-chan. That’s a smile that says: ‘If anything happens bad happens to my ‘adoptive little brother’, I’m going to kick your ass’ type smile.”

 

Haruka says, with a nod, “That’s exactly what it is.”

 

Makoto says, amazed, “I never knew our girl could make such a threatening smile.”

 

Tomoe says, “I’m surprised at hime’s changes.”

 

Hino thinks in her mind, “How much Meatball Head has changed is what worries me the most.” Soon after, they did the test and the anti-harassment prompt screen appears in which Sinon makes sure to hit the cancel button for many reasons.

 

When this is done, Mamoru says, “Okay, we know that the anti-harassment code is working.”

 

Haruka says, “Well, plenty of us, women, can be glad about that.”

 

Usagi says, drolly, “No joke.”

 

Kirito says, “However, it shows that the code is working, but it doesn’t explain about it not working with Alberich and his group.”

 

Dai says, “That’s a good point. The ass harassing the girl should have been teleported away the instant that he started something.”

 

Usagi says, nervously, “I don’t like this.”

 

Akari asks, “What do you mean, Usagi?”

 

Usagi responds, “The only reason that I could think of…is that Alberich somehow has administrative privileges.”

 

There are looks of surprise and Leafa asks, surprised, “He does?”

 

Asuna says, stunned, “That shouldn’t be possible!”

 

Kirito says, “The only one with privileges like that other than you, Usagi, is…Kayaba.”

 

As the others look at each other, Mizuno says, “Not necessary.” When everyone looks at her, Mizuno says, “Remember, Argus had folded and control of the SAO servers has gone into the control of RCT Progress, the Full-Dive division, in which everything went to RCT including special administrate privileges. Remember, while Kayaba is at the core of SAO, he had plenty of ‘unwitting helpers’ at Argus to help him create SAO. He is the ‘mad genius’ behind the NervGear and SAO, but he couldn’t get where he had been without help even through the help in Argus obviously didn’t know what he was up to.”

 

Kirito goes into deep thought and Silica asks, “Is something wrong, Kirito?”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Maybe, Silica.” Kirito then says, “However, Mizuno does have a point. Even though not at the level of Kayaba, there would have been other employees at Argus that would have some level of administrative privileges in SAO, most likely used during development and the beta test, and something tells me that I think that Kayaba didn’t get rid of those since he couldn’t and none of the personal at Argus would be here since he also expected Argus to collapse completely after what he had done. However, it doesn’t mean those ‘administrate codes’ have gone away. They would have been passed onto RCT since they have brought over Argus and they own what they own now.”

 

Lisbeth asks, “Wait! Are you saying that Alberich could be an employee at RCT? What are they doing here then?”

 

Kirito says, “That’s a good question, Liz.”

 

Asuna says, concerned, “I don’t like this, Kirito-kun. Something inside me tells me that they aren’t here to help. If they are, they would have told us that they are employees at RCT and found a way into SAO.”

 

Mamoru says, nodding his head, “I believe that Asuna is right. They wouldn’t pretend to be part of the surviving players trapped in SAO.”

 

Haruka says, plainly, “We may have an idea on how they are able to get around the rules of SAO, but it doesn’t explain about who they really are and why they are here.”

 

Setsuna says, plainly, “And that indeed has valid concerns.”

 

Usagi says, “I really don’t like this. Alberich is dangerous especially since I’m getting this ‘horrible familiar’ feeling from him.”

 

Mamoru says, “Then we had better keep a close eye on him.”

 

The others nod their heads in agreement and Haruka says, “But we had better make sure that he doesn’t know that we are observing him. He knows that we or at least, Usagi and Kirito do, suspect him of something and he is going to be on guard.”

 

Hino says, “Something tells me that he isn’t an idiot.”

 

Just then a familiar female voice calls out, “Kirito!” Everyone then looks to see Philia running up to the room.

 

Kirito asks, “Philia?”

 

Minako asks, “Hey, girl! Where were you?”

 

Philia responds, with a smile, “I was in the dungeon of this floor and practicing with my dagger as well as getting some materials.”

 

Asuna asks, a bit surprised, “Alone?”

 

Philia replies, with a smile, “With living in the Hollow Area for so long, the monsters on this floor seem so much easier.”

 

Akari says, with a nod, “I hear you, Philia.”

 

Makoto says, “It explains why you were late. You were in a dungeon, so, the message couldn’t get through to you.”

 

Philia asks, curiously, “So, what is so important?”

 

Kirito says, “We have a situation, Philia.” Philia notices Kirito’s seriously face and nods her head as she listens to the others explain about what happened earlier.

 

January 9, 2025, Floor 87, Field

 

Outside of the main town, the fields of Floor 87 look broken and rocky ground with some large rocks/boulders and a few trees with mountainous walls/barriers separating the field into multiple sections with ant style monsters roaming around with Usagi, Kirito, Leafa, Philia, Sinon, and Mamoru assembled together as they look out into the field.

 

Mamoru says, “It looks like we are going around uneven terrain.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “With rocks and such to provide us cover or give cover to our enemies.”

 

Leafa says, with a nod of understanding, “Right, big brother.”

 

Philia says, looking at Leafa and Kirito, “I’m surprised that you and Leafa are brother and sister, Kirito.”

 

Kirito tells Philia, a bit nervously, “Well, Leafa’s avatar is different from her real life self. Remember, her avatar came from another game based on SAO: ALO or Alfheim Online.”

 

Philia says, “It is amazing that there is a game based on this one.”

 

Leafa says, with a smile, “Well, ALO is different from this place in different ways.” Leafa says, looking ahead, “ALO is what SAO should have been.” As Leafa looks ahead, she thinks in her mind, “That’s right. Sword Art Online could have been the doorway to a new world where dreams could have come true. I experienced that when I went to ALO, but instead, Kayaba turned all of those dreams into pure nightmare prison for all of the people that he entrapped and for the people left behind when some of those people died because of his selfish and murderous actions. He shattered the heart of Usagi and Kayaba was like a ‘second father’ by this ultimate betrayal.”

 

Just then images of Aincard and the Moon Kingdom come to Leafa’s mind and Philia asks, seeing Leafa’s ‘spaced out’ look, “Is something wrong, Leafa?”

 

When the others look at Leafa, she shakes herself out of her stupor and she responds, with a smile, “I’m okay, Philia.”

 

Kirito asks, “Are you sure?”

Leafa replies, with a smile, “I’m just fine! Anyway, we should get going and find that boss room!” Kirito and Usagi aren’t sure, but they decide not to pressure the issue for the moment as they set off on their exploration mission for Floor 87. However, Leafa thinks in her mind, “I’m sorry, big brother. I couldn’t tell you because I don’t understand it myself. However, I know that Kayaba and I have some kind of ‘connection’. I can somehow ‘sense’ him. It should be impossible since we never even met…but wait! Kayaba is the reincarnation of Usagi’s Silver Millennium father…Could it be possible…that he and I…met in the Silver Millennium?!” Leafa winches a bit, but not even Kirito and Usagi notice a slight glow that came from Leafa’s forehead because it vanished as they venture into the field where they go into caves filled with ant type monsters and more until they find a cavern where there doesn’t seem to be an exit other than two ‘holes’ that look entrances to the inside of ant hills.

 

Usagi says, “No exit.”

 

Kirito says, “Other than those.”

 

Leafa asks, “What if they are pitfalls?”

 

Kirito says, “Maybe. It would most likely be a trap for a game world, but then again, it might be too…cliché for Kayaba’s tastes.”

 

Sinon says, “It could also be like a maze in which one is the right away and the other could lead to a trap.”

 

Philia says, with a nod, “That’s a good point, Sinon-san.”

 

Leafa asks, “What are we going to do, big brother?”

 

Kirito says, “Our only choice is to continue on, but we must be careful.” The others nod their heads in agreement as they venture into one of the ‘holes’ and they venture through a maze of rooms until they find themselves in room with an exit where they are three large red flea style monsters are in the way.

 

Mamoru says, “The way ahead is sealed.”

 

Usagi asks, “Shouldn’t we try the Keyblade?”

 

Kirito says, “We need to stand still in order to use the Keyblade’s ability, Usagi.”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Right.”

 

Sinon says, “I’ll keep my distance and the rest of you can take care of the rest.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Right, Sinon.”

 

Leafa says, drawing her sword, “I’m right behind you big brother.” Soon after, the party fights the three large insect monsters, Antlion Destroy, and it didn’t take them too long to defeat them.

 

The barrier fades away and Mamoru says, “Let’s go.” The group ventures on until they managed to reach the dungeon area and after looking around for a bit, they assemble together out of sight of the monsters.

 

Usagi says, drolly, “Just plain wonderful: More bug monsters.”

 

Kirito says, “And it looks like they will be troublesome. Maybe we should avoid them as best as possible.”

 

Philia says, “A good idea. If there is some kind of event, we won’t know what happen if they detect us.” The group continues to venture on in which they clear the event by killing ten Ant Worker monsters and soon, they find themselves down a familiar type of hallway.

 

Leafa says, “This looks oddly familiar.”

 

Philia asks, “Kirito, could this be the hall that leads to the boss’ chamber?”

 

Usagi says, “Most likely, Philia. It has the exact same feel as the other boss chambers coming from it.”

 

Philia asks, curiously, “Feel?”

 

Kirito responds, “When you go on enough explorations, you know what we experienced Philia.”

 

Philia nods her head and Usagi says, “However, we hope that you don’t experience everything that we experienced, Philia.”

 

Philia gives a confused look and Kirito says, plainly, “Let’s go.”

 

Leafa says, with a nod, “Right, big brother.” The group then ventures forward and they find the classic doors that lead to the boss’ chamber on the other side of said doors.

 

Usagi says, “This is it.”

 

Philia asks, “This is the boss room, Usagi?”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “That’s right.”

 

Mamoru says, “Let’s set our crystal here and return back to Arc Sofia.”

 

Usagi says, “Right. We have to gather information on the boss and Dai said that he would inform you and me about getting those super-secret skills like the one that he gave Sora.”

 

Philia asks, “You mean the Esoteric Skill?”

 

Usagi says, “That’s right, Philia.”

 

Kirito says, “Those are some powerful skills and they could help us complete the game.”

 

Mamoru says, “However, for now, let’s focus on the boss.” The others nod their heads in agreement with Mamoru and after setting the location for a Corridor Crystal for this area, the group uses a teleportation crystal to return to Arc Sofia and inform everyone that they have found the boss’ chamber to prepare to gather information on the boss to attack him in his chamber and move onto the next floor.

 

January 9, 2025, Floor 76, Arc Sofia

 

Inside of Agil’s inn/shop, Kirito and Usagi are together as Yui comes over to them.

 

Yui says, “Hello, daddy! Hello, Auntie Usagi!”

 

Kirito tells Yui, “Hello, Yui. Is Asuna around?”

 

Yui asks, “She just went out. Do you need to see her?”

 

Kirito responds, “Not right away, Yui. She has work with the Knights of the Blood since she is the new leader of the guild, so, it is understandable.”

 

Yui says, a bit nervously, “Daddy, I would like to ask you and Auntie Usagi a favor…”

 

Usagi asks, curiously, “A favor?’

 

Yui says, “Did you know? There is an object that looks like a stone somewhere outside of town on this floor.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Yeah. Agil mentioned about that.”

 

Yui says, “I hope that you and Auntie Usagi could take me there.”

 

Usagi asks, curiously, “Why is that Yui-chan?”

 

Kirito asks, “Wait! Do you know what that object is Yui?”

 

Yui responds, “I’m not absolutely certain, but I think that it might be a control console that can access the system. I think that I might be able to get back my functions.”

 

Usagi asks, amazed, “Really?”

 

Yui says, solemnly, “But it might be in vain too…”

 

Usagi tells Yui, “Yui, we won’t know until we try!”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Usagi is right, Yui. We’ll help in any way that we can.”

 

Yui says, with a smile, “Thank you, daddy.”

 

Usagi asks, “Where is it exactly?”

 

Yui says, “Don’t worry, Auntie Usagi, I’ve gathered all the information that we need to find it.”

 

Kirito says, “Okay, let’s go.”

Yui responds, “Right, daddy.”

 

January 9, 2025, Floor 76, Field

 

Within the fields of Floor 76, Kirito, Usagi, and Yui are walking around an area just outside of the main dungeon area.

 

Kirito says, “I never been around here before.”

 

Usagi says, “Must have been a blind spot or something.”

 

Yui says, pointing ahead of them, “There it is, daddy!”

 

When Kirito and Usagi look, they see a black stone pedestal that looks like the GM console in the secret dungeon on the first floor and Kirito says, “Yeah, it looks like a stone pedestal and it looks similar to the one in the secret dungeon in Black Iron Palace.”

 

Usagi says, “It must be a console.” Usagi asks, nervously, “Uh oh! Does that mean…?”

 

Kirito says, “Yeah, I see it now. There is a really powerful monster. It looks like that it is a boss level monster.”

 

Usagi says, “Like the room back in Black Iron Palace that you told me about.”

 

Yui says, with a nod, “Yeah, Auntie Usagi. It must be a powerful boss monster set up to keep players away just likes the console at Black Iron Palace.”

 

Kirito says, “And considering that we are on a higher floor, this one might be the one tougher than that one.”

 

Yui says, with a nod, “Most likely, daddy.”

 

Usagi says, “And there is another thing: There is no safe zone like the one in Black Iron Palace. The Black Iron Palace console was in a safe zone. This one is out in the open which means that the boss can attack us at the console.”

 

Kirito says, “And Yui doesn’t have any of her privileges and even if she gets any, I’m not sure that she will get enough authority to stop it or you can use your own GM authority to access a way to stop it in which we are trying to limit since the game is currently unstable.”

 

Usagi says, “I think that we should fall back for the moment.”

 

Kirito asks Yui, “What do you think Yui?”

 

Yui responds, with a nod, “I agree. I don’t want to put daddy and Auntie Usagi in any danger. It is a pity, but we have no other choice.”

 

Kirito asks Yui, “Is this really important to you, Yui?”

Yui responds, “Huh? I’m not really sure, but I feel that it is very important…”

 

Usagi asks, curiously, “Kirito?”

 

Kirito thinks for a second and he says, “Okay, I’ll hold it off. Usagi, you take Yui to the console and see if you can do something with it.”

 

There are gasps and Usagi yells out, “Kirito, are you nuts?!”

 

Kirito responds, “I’m not trying to defeat it. I’m going to try to hold it off for as long as I can, but if we need to retreat, you grab Yui and get the heck out of here! Don’t worry, I’ll follow.”

 

Yui says, concerned, “But daddy…”

 

Kirito says, with a smile, “Don’t worry. There is another different from THAT time. That dungeon was an enclosed space and here, it is an open area in which I can maneuver easily. And if worst came to worst, I can use a teleport crystal to escape too since we aren’t in a dungeon.”

 

Usagi says, “Well, you have a point, Kirito. This is a completely open space and we can see the enemy clearly while staying out of his range allowing us to attack when and how we want.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Exactly, Usagi. This time, the element of surprise is on our side and not the enemy’s side.”

 

Usagi says, with a sigh, “Okay, I see that you are dead set on helping Yui-chan. However, if you get in trouble, get the heck out of there. I’ll get Yui out of there as quickly as I can.”

 

Kirito says, “Good, Usagi. Remember, like you just said, the console is not in a safe zone, so, you can be attacked at the console. Get Yui-chan out of there if I can’t hold it off. The monster might be programmed to fend off the greatest ‘threat’ to the console and it might just ignore me and focus on you when you are at the console.”

 

Usagi says, drolly, “Thanks for the round of encouragement, Kirito.”

 

Yui says, “Don’t worry, Auntie Usagi. I believe that since its job is to protect the console, it won’t stray too far from it.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “Most likely, Yui-chan. However, if Usagi tells you to run away, you follow her direction.”

 

Yui says, with a nod, “Yes, I understand.” Soon after, Usagi takes Yui away to approach the console from a different angle while Kirito goes over to confront the boss monster ‘assigned’ to protect the console. He immediately gets its attention and starts to lure it away from the console.

 

When it is a good enough distance away, Usagi says, “Okay, this is our chance.”

 

Yui says, with a nod, “Right, Auntie Usagi.” Usagi and Yui make their rush towards the console while Kirito battles the boss monster which proves to be large, fast, and strong at the same time, but Kirito, using his two Keyblades, manages to fend it off.

 

Kirito says, “Whew! It is similar to that one in Black Iron Palace and it might be stronger, but I’m stronger, too. These Keyblades are a real help.” By this time, Usagi and Yui reached the console and Yui starts to work with it, but the boss monster then switches its attention to them. Kirito thinks in his mind, shocked, “Oh no! It has spotted Usagi and Yui!” Kirito yells out, strongly, “Hey, your target is me!” Kirito unleashes a strong attack that strikes the boss monster, hard, though not causing significant damage, but it diverts its attention back to Kirito causing him to dodge an attack from the boss monster.

 

But then Usagi sees the monster unleash a strong storm type attack that Kirito has a hard time to defend against and she tells Yui, “Yui-chan, the monster is using a powerful attack that Kirito can barely defend against! Are you done?”

 

Yui says, “Not yet!” As the tense seconds pass, Usagi becomes worried until Yui says, with a smile, “Done!”

 

Usagi says, with a smile, “On my back, Yui! Hurry!” Yui leaps onto Usagi’s back and her powerful strength stats allow Usagi to carry Yui with easy in which Usagi makes a motion with her Keyblade to fall back to Kirito and starts to run off in which Kirito sees.

 

Kirito thinks in his mind, with a smile, “That’s the signal! It is time to wrap it up!” Kirito dodges an attack and he says, “Sorry, can’t play anymore.” Kirito then takes off at top speed to get out of the range of the boss monster and soon after, he reunites with Yui and Usagi.

 

Yui asks, concerned, “Are you okay, daddy?”

 

Kirito says, with a smile, “I’m just fine, Yui.”

 

Usagi asks Yui, “Did you get back your functions or privileges?”

 

Yui says, with a sigh, “Yes, but only a small part. It isn’t going to help with the assault to the top of the castle. I want to see if I can get my authority back completely, but I can’t do it with that console.”

 

Kirito says, “Usagi might be able to work with it due to her advanced authority, but the problem is that console is out in the open and not in a safe zone. We could assemble a boss raid party to do something, but we are certain to lose people in the attack.”

 

Usagi says, “And there is no way that I’m going to do that. Plus, we can’t be certain that I can get us out of the game with that console too. It is too much of a risk. Let’s forget it.”

 

Kirito says, “However, we can’t give up on this angle, Usagi. There was a console on the twenty-second floor where we met Yui for the first time, one in Black Iron Palace’s secret dungeon, and now, one here. It means that there have to be more consoles around Aincard. It is most likely since the developed put them in just in cases of ‘bugs’ and such stuff and Kayaba must have kept them for his own usage since he felt he was the only one in control of SAO during much of this time.”

 

Yui says, with a smile, “Daddy is right, Auntie Usagi. I will try to see if my restored functions will allow me to find any more consoles.”

 

Kirito says, “And if we find one that we can use safely, we might be able to use your authority to log everyone out without the need of getting to the top floor.”

 

Usagi says, with a smile, “You’re right, Kirito. And with Mizuno-chan’s and Setsuna-chan’s help, I know that we can do. Setsuna has the knowledge of centuries past as the Guardian of the Gates of Time and Mizuno is a genius, especially a technical one, in her own right, but you are quite bright in computers, Kirito. With the four of us, we might be able to do it if we can find another console that we can use safely.”

 

Kirito says, with a smile, “For now, our main focus should be getting to the top floor, but we have another option now.”

 

Usagi says, with a smile, “Something good came out of this after all.”

 

Kirito says, with a smile, “Yeah, but let’s try not to tell Asuna. I don’t want to scare her.”

 

Usagi tells Yui, “You hear that, Yui-chan!”

 

Yui says, with a smile, “Right, Auntie Usagi!”

 

Kirito tells Yui, with a sweet yet nervous smile, “So, let’s not try to worry about your momma too much, Yui-chan. I’ll treat you to some ice cream when we get back!”

 

Yui yells out, excitedly, “Okay, daddy!”

 

Usagi asks, with a smug smirk, “Really, Kirito?” Kirito gives a nervous smile as he takes his adopted daughter’s hand and all three of them head back to town to rest and recover from their latest venture.

 

January 9, 2025, Floor 76, Arc Sofia

 

Within an open courtyard in Arc Sofia, Aaron and Leafa are in a duel which ended with Leafa’s victory when she got Aaron to half health and with the end of the duel, the town’s ‘safe area’ encompasses them once more since the duel took away the town’s protections.

 

Aaron’s fellow KOB members smirk at this and one of them asks, tauntingly, “Trying to impress the cute fairy girl, Aaron?”

 

Another one says, with a smirk, “Not going to do it on your butt, pal.”

 

Aaron shouts out, annoyed, “Why don’t you clam it, you wiseasses?”

 

Leafa says, with a smile, “Sorry, Aaron-san.”

 

Aaron gets to his feet and he says, “No need to be sorry, Leafa-san. You beat me fair and square.”

 

Leafa says, “Well, I practiced kendo in real life.”

 

Aaron says, with a whistle, “Wow, really?! No wonder you beat me without any Sword Skills.”

 

Leafa says, with a smile, “I have experience with ALO which is based a lot like this game. A lot of the stuff here feels familiar.”

 

Aaron says, “No wonder you are so good.” Just then everyone hears footsteps and they see Usagi, Kirito, and Asuna coming towards them.

One of the members says, a bit nervously, “Lady Asuna!”

 

Asuna responds, with a kind smile, “Easy. I saw what happened and I know that it was friendly duel. However, Aaron-san, don’t expect to beat Leafa-chan so easily if at all. Personally, despite her being new here, her talent in the ways of the sword gives her an edge in this world.”

 

Aaron says, with a nod, “No kidding, Lady Asuna.”

 

Kirito asks Aaron, glaring at him, “And what’s this about ‘impressing’ my sister?”

 

Aaron and the KOB members are nervous and one of them says, with a smile, “Don’t worry, Black Swordsman-san! This guy is good, but your sister is way out of his language and in more ways than one! He had his butt handed to him without her using any Sword Skills.”

 

Aaron says, annoyed, “Hey!”

 

Kirito says, with a smile, “Not to insult you, Aaron-san, but this doesn’t surprise me. Leafa has always had a talent for swordsmanship and personally, I think that she could have kicked the ass of Heathcliff.”

 

The KOB members are shocked and one of them asks, amazed, “Are you sure, Black Swordsman-san?”

 

Leafa says, with a pout, “Geez, big brother…”

 

Another KOB member tells Aaron, “Ha! I told you so!”

 

Asuna says, with a kind smile, “Anyway, the boss chamber for floor eighty-seven has been found and we have just gathered the information needed to launch a boss raid. We are going to have a boss raid meeting soon.”

 

The KOB members, including Aaron, nod their heads and they say in unison, “Yes, ma’am!”

 

Before the KOB members rush off, Aaron tells Leafa, “See you later, Leafa.”

 

Leafa says, with a smile, “Later, Aaron-san.”

 

After the KOB members leave, Usagi asks Leafa, “Hey, Leafa, what’s that all about?”

Leafa responds, with a bit of a blush, “Nothing, Usagi. Aaron-san is a new friend that I just made.”

 

Kirito tells Leafa, “Leafa, I would consider watching who you make friends with outside of our group.”

 

Leafa tells Kirito, “Big brother, Aaron-san is a part of Asuna’s group and we are just friends…”

 

Kirito says, interrupting, “It isn’t like what you are implying, Sugu.” Leafa looks at Kirito in surprise and Kirito says, “Just be careful on how close of friends that you make with other players.”

 

Leafa says, with a sigh, “Okay, Kirito.” Leafa walks off, but she is concerned about Kirito’s worlds and she isn’t the only one.

 

Asuna asks Kirito, “Kirito-kun, why did you tell Leafa that?”

 

Kirito responds, “You know why, Asuna. Sugu is a strong person, but she is a very emotional person. I think Usagi equals her in that department.”

 

Usagi asks, curiously, “Really?”

 

Kirito replies, with a nod of his head, “Yeah. The three of us have experienced the loss of comrades and friends in this world.” Asuna’s and Usagi’s eyes widen and they realize what Kirito is implying in which he says, “Sugu was already torn up when this whole thing started and I think that she is going through some kind of ‘phase’ or something. And I’m afraid what would happen if she made friends here…and then lost them.”

 

Asuna says, with a nod, “I see Kirito-kun.”

 

Kirito says, “With us, we have a good chance of not losing anyone for that concern to be too strong. However, while there are a lot of strong players, I keep remembering floor seventy-five and that was a pure nightmare.”

 

Asuna says, with a solemn nod, “Yes, it was.”

 

Usagi says, “But we have gotten better Kirito and we have gotten through about a dozen boss fights without losing a player in which there haven’t been any player deaths during the past few months.”

 

Kirito says, with a nod, “True.” Kirito says, “But we can’t get overconfident about this.”

 

Usagi says, seriously, “We’re not, Kirito!”

 

Kirito responds, “I know, Usagi.” Kirito says, with a sigh, “I’ve just got a ‘bad feeling’.”

 

Asuna asks, concerned, “A bad feeling?”

 

Kirito says, “That our ‘good streak’ will be running out sooner or later and while I’m not worried about Sugu’s safety, it’s…”

 

Usagi says, “You think that if she makes a friend outside of us, she will lose that friend and it could send her into an ‘emotional pitfall’.”

 

Kirito says, nodding his head, “Exactly, Usagi. Sugu is strong, but sensitive.”

 

Usagi says, “I really hope that you are wrong, Kirito.”

 

Kirito says, “I just hope that I’m not DEAD wrong, Usagi.”

 

January 10, 2025, Floor 87, Dungeon

 

Right now, we are inside of the boss chamber for Floor 87 where we find members of the assault team fighting against the floor boss of this floor: The Radiance Eater, a huge black spider monster with glowing blue crystal coming out of its back and glowing crystal insect fangs in front of its mouth. At this time, we find Dai and Kirito dodging an acid attack from Radiance Eater’s mouth while Usagi, Akari, and Lisbeth are attacking the legs using Mace Sword Skill combo attacks since the boss monster is vulnerable to blunt style attacks.

 

“Mind Impact!”

 

“Variable Blow!”

 

Lisbeth and Usagi use powerful Mace Sword Skill combos against the legs of the boss monster and causing serious damage.

 

Asuna says, “Nice work, Liz!”

 

Lisbeth says, with a sly smirk, “No problem, Asuna!” Soon after, Asuna and Mizuno strike with their rapiers and causing the boss monster’s legs to be temporary crippled.

 

Kirito says, “Good work, Asuna!” However, the group is then hit with a shockwave attack that sends them flying backwards through not causing serious damage to their health, but Sinon makes sure that the boss monster doesn’t follow up with one of her Shooting Skill attacks: Hale Bullet.

 

Dai says, “Thanks, Sinon.”

 

Sinon responds, “No problem.”

 

Strea, who had come along, yells out, “Okay, it’s my turn!”

 

But when the boss monster starts to move around in a strange way, Mizuno shouts out, “Watch out, everyone! A big attack is coming!” Soon after, the players barely manage to dodge a powerful energy beam attack, but Strea uses this change to get up close.

 

“Fight Blade!”

 

Strea then uses a 6 hit Two-Handed Sword Skill combo while Akari uses the boss focusing its attention on Strea to get close and ‘power up’ for a real strong Mace Sword Skill attack.

 

“Holy Crown!”

 

Akari then uses a super-strong 5 hit Mace Sword Skill that inflicts massive damage with each blow and soon enough, the boss monster roars out as it glows and shatters into hundreds of data polygons.

 

Plenty of the others are amazed and Taichi says, shocked, “Kari…”

 

Lisbeth says, shocked, “Amazing…” When the words ‘Congratulations’ appear above everyone, the players are excited knowing that they have completed another boss fight and like times before starting against the Floor 76 boss, there are no fatalities at all, but it doesn’t mean that it wasn’t really close with several players are current in the red zone with their HP.

 

When the players start to catch their breath, Kirito says, with a sigh of relief, “Well, we won…”

 

Usagi says, with a nod, “Yeah, but it was a real fight.”

 

Mamoru says, with a smile, “However, we suffered no fatalities.”

 

Usagi says, with a smile, “Yeah, that’s always good news.”

 

Lisbeth tells Akari, excitedly, “That was incredible, Akari! I’ve got to know how I can learn that skill!”

 

Akari says, “Well…”

 

Kirito says, “I think that we should save that for another time, Liz.”

 

Asuna says, with a nod, “I agree with Kirito-kun. Let’s activate the teleport gate. It has been a long fight.”

 

Lisbeth says, with a sigh and a smile, “Okay…” When the players are done with their recovery from the boss fight, they head through the door and up the stairs to the next floor to get to the main town and activate the teleport gate in the main town of the next floor: Floor 88.

 

January 10, 2025, Floor 88, Sebelasiv

 

Inside of the main town of Floor 88, Sebelasiv, which looks to be a town filled plants, Lisbeth comes out of the teleport gate for the town.

 

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

 

Asuna says, “Thanks, Liz.”

 

Kirito says, “Just a dozen more floors to go.”

 

Usagi says, with a smile, “Yeah. We are making progress quite rapidly.”

 

Strea says, with a smile, “That’s because Kirito and Usagi are so strong!”

 

Kirito says, “It is more than that just us, Strea. It is always more than just us. All of us are working together excellently for the goal of escaping and even though not all of the players can be on the front lines, they are still helping us in so many ways.”

 

Asuna says, with a smile, “Their hopes and dreams are with us, Strea.”

 

Dai says, with a grin, “Well, let’s not disappoint them.”

 

Mamoru says, “We won’t, Dai.”

 

Miyako gives a yawn and she says, “Anyway, it is getting late. Let’s head back.” The others nod their heads in agreement and soon enough, the whole of the assault team are teleporting back down to their current ‘base of operations’: Arc Sofia on Floor 76.

 

January 10, 2025, Earth’s moon

 

Returning to the ‘real world’, we find ourselves on the surface of the moon as we go deep into the Sea of Serenity where we find what was the ruins of the Moon Kingdom, but now, they are fully restored with the glittering white marble Moon Kingdom palace in the center. At the main entrance into the palace, the spirit of Queen Serenity, mother of Sailor Moon in her past life as Princess Serenity, looking towards the blue planet of Earth.

 

Queen Serenity says, “I can sense it…the final battle is drawing so much nearer…Oh, Heathcliff…how could you do this? Why must you fulfill the prophecy and cause our daughters this pain and sorrow? Why must you force HER to awaken after you have betrayed so deeply and shattered her heart as you have done to Serenity? You had it all, but you wanted beyond that…Not out of greed or any lust for power…No, you wished to know ‘what was beyond this world and this universe’. And now, your actions have set daughter against father in a final battle where only one can survive.” Queen Serenity then sheds a tear as we hear the sounds of swords clashing and as we leave, we see the images of Heathcliff fighting against an unknown Sailor Soldier of which we can only see blond hair in Leafa’s hairstyle and this Sailor Scout is holding Kirito’s swords: Elucidator and Dark Repulser.

 

And that’s the end of the chapter! Nice foreshadowing, huh? I’m not telling you what it means, but if you read my Sailor Moon Online story, I think that you’ll have a good idea on what I mean, but I’m not saying anything more! Anyway, two boss fights in one chapter! That’s good, huh? The climax is drawing ever so closer and there are more surprises to come, folks! Later and best wishes, Crossover Fans!